Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Nov 24, 2020 at 8pm UK

Old Trafford

Man Utd
4 - 1
Istanbul

Fernandes (7', 19'), Rashford (35' pen.), James (90+2')
Tuanzebe (55'), Maguire (86')

FT(HT: 3-0)

Turuc (75')
Skrtel (78'), Tekdemir (85'), Turuc (89')

Man United's Bruno Fernandes reveals reason for giving up hat-trick penalty

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 November 2020

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes missed out on a Champions League hat-trick after promising Marcus Rashford he would take the next penalty for the Red Devils.

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has revealed that he relinquished penalty duties to Marcus Rashford against Istanbul Basaksehir after he made a promise to his Red Devils teammate.

Fernandes could have wrapped up a first-half hat-trick when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute, but the Portuguese midfielder allowed Rashford to step up and take the spot kick.

Rashford made no mistake from 12 yards as the Red Devils ran out 4-1 winners at Old Trafford, and Fernandes has since explained why he gave up his pursuit of a hat-trick to allow Rashford to get his name on the scoresheet.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Fernandes said: "That's not the point. Of course, every player wants to score a hat-trick. But after the game in the Premier League I told Rashford he would take the next one.

"So I remembered that, and also because Rashford is one of the top scorers in the Champions League. I think it will be important for him to keep going there and take that confidence.

"But as I say, it doesn't matter who takes the penalties, the most important thing is scoring. The team scores. When the team scores, I score too."

United's victory on Tuesday evening puts them in control of Group H with two games remaining, and next up for Solskjaer's side is a visit to Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.