Bruno Fernandes has provided insight into his penalty taking and how he makes life extra difficult for the goalkeepers that stand in his way.
There is no denying Bruno Fernandes’ importance to Manchester United.
It helps when Ruben Amorim’s team aren’t scoring goals from open play, to possess a player with world-class set-piece taking ability like Fernandes.
Fernandes scored a free-kick to open the scoring in United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend.
Four days later, Fernandes scored a hat-trick, including two successful penalty kicks, versus Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Despite criticism from Roy Keane, Fernandes has 28 goal contributions across all competitions this season, making him a strong contender for the club’s Player of the Year award.
The Portugal international will be aiming to add to his impressive tally when United face Leicester City on Sunday.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes penalty secret
On Thursday night, Fernandes scored his 35th and 36th penalty kicks for United.
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Throughout Fernandes’ career he has scored 59, missing six, racking up an incredible 91% penalty taking accuracy.
The Portuguese Magnifico, as Fernandes is known by his admirers, has already scored more penalties for United than any other player in the club’s history.
Bruno Fernandes 36
Ruud van Nistelrooy 28
Wayne Rooney 27
Cristiano Ronaldo 21
Eric Cantona 18
Albert Quixall 18
Manchester United most penalties scored
Fernandes has done an exclusive interview with Inside United, to be released this week, and it gives an insight into how much preparation goes into each penalty kick.
“When you take so many penalties, then you need to change, because the goalkeepers start looking at you, studying you,” Fernandes said.
“So as they do that, I do the same as them. I study them.”
Fernandes’ explanations proves why we must never underestimate the work that goes into preparing for spot kicks.
Fernandes explains penalty technqiue
Being unpredictable from the penalty spot is helpful. That’s why Fernandes constantly looks for ways to get an advantage over the goalkeeper.
In the same interview, Fernandes also revealed what technique makes him feel most comfortable, while explaining he always waits for the keeper to make the first decision.
“I see all the different penalty-takers that they have against them. I see what is the accuracy of them.
“I feel more comfortable doing the jump and waiting for the goalkeeper to make a decision. I think this is the more accurate one. But if I have to change it, I do it differently, to not give anything away to them.
“You can still miss but, at least, you know, everything you’re doing is for a reason and, obviously everyone is different.”