Bruno Fernandes gave an open and eye-catching interview after Manchester United drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s 96th-minute equaliser
Bruno Fernandes aimed a pointed dig at Rasmus Hojlund even though it was the Manchester United striker who scored their late equaliser against Bournemouth. United rescued a point in a 1-1 draw on the south coast on Sunday thanks to Hojlund’s instinctive finish in injury time.
Antoine Semenyo put the Cherries in front and it had appeared as though they would hold onto their 1-0 lead, despite being down to 10 men after Evanilson was sent off. However, Hojlund diverted Manuel Ugarte’s effort into the net from close range to snatch a draw in the 96th minute.
It was just his fourth goal in 29 Premier League matches this season and, while he did congratulate him, United captain Fernandes also reminded the Danish striker of his responsibilities in an eye-catching post-match interview.
“Strikers are about scoring goals and we all know that, he knows the responsibility of being the No.9 of United and he has to score goals, that’s the demand of a club like this, not only for him, but for everyone else,” he told MUTV.
READ MORE: Man Utd’s last-gasp draw at Bournemouth can’t cover up startling shortcomingsREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim makes brutally honest admission about Man Utd after Bournemouth draw
“Everyone that plays here who has the qualities to get into the box to score goals has to do it. Today, it was Rasmus, and everyone is very happy to see a striker scoring and hopefully it’s going to give him a little bit of a push for what’s coming.”
Hojlund has nine goals and four assists in 46 games across all competitions for United this season and his struggles have typified the team as a whole. Ruben Amorim’s six had 25 shots in total against their opponents, who were down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes, but only netted late on.
“We could do better,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “We created chances but we need to do better near the box. It is the small things. We have to understand the foot that is in play, crossing, one v ones. We need to understand the game in that way.”
Asked about Hojlund, he added: “It is always important for strikers to score. But when we look at the game as a striker it is not just the goals. It is a good boost but the next game is a new history and we have to go again.”
Amorim knows United need to be better in front of goal, with his team having scored just 39 goals in 34 league games – a total bettered by every side in the division, bar West Ham – who are level – Everton and the three relegated sides.
The United boss is keen to recruit firepower in the summer transfer window and has therefore prioritised the signings of Wolves striker Matheus Cunha and one of Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
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