Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has equalled a Premier League record after winning the Goal of the Month award for September.
The Portuguese midfielder netted a stunning match-winning volley to help the Red Devils claim all three points in a slender 1-0 victory away against Burnley on September 23.
Fernandes made a clever run in behind Burnley's backline and fired an exquisite volley beyond James Trafford into the far corner after receiving a long-range pass over the top from centre-back Jonny Evans.
Man United's No.8 has become just the second player in Premier League history to win three Goal of the Month awards, drawing level with Luton Town's new boy Andros Townsend.
Fernandes scooped his first GOTM award in June 2020 for his strike at Brighton & Hove Albion, before collecting the prize for a second time in February 2021 after netting a deft chip against Everton.
That finish from @B_Fernandes8 😮💨
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 13, 2023
A worthy winner of September's @budfootball Goal of the Month 🏆#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/iNrD18VZGe
Townsend, meanwhile, claimed the individual accolade with Crystal Palace in March 2017 and December 2018, and then with Everton in September 2021.
Fernandes has joined Townsend in an exclusive club of three-time winners, moving above and group of two-time winners including Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Son Heung-min and Miguel Almiron.
The 29-year-old's latest award has also marked the seventh time a Man United player has claimed the monthly prize, with Red Devils players scooping the award more times than any other club in the division.
Fernandes fended off competition from Man United teammate Hannibal Mejbri, Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, Aston Villa's Jhon Duran, Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, Newcastle United's Almiron and Nottingham Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi to win the GOTM award for September.
© Reuters
Speaking to TNT Sports after scoring his match-winner against Burnley, Fernandes said: "It was a great pass from Jonny [Evans]. I know he has great qualities for playing the ball in behind, with both feet, so I knew he could give this pass and I was waiting for him.
"[Burnley] gave some space – it was tough to get in behind them because they worked the line well, so it was a great ball, a great finish and we're really happy with the win."
Fernandes has scored 66 goals in total for Man United in 195 appearances across all competitions, including 46 in the Premier League since joining the club in January 2020.
The midfielder will look to add to his tally when Man United, who sit 10th in the Premier league table, travel to basement club Sheffield United on October 21.
Oliver Thomas
