Bruno Fernandes has revealed his incredible pass to help pave the way for Manchester United to reach the Carabao Cup final was inspired by ex-international team-mate Ricardo Quaresma.
Fernandes expertly steered a cross to the back post with the outside of his foot for Marcus Rashford, whose cushioned touch to divert the ball back into the box led to Fred tapping home to give United a 2-0 lead and eventual victory over Nottingham Forest.
Fred’s goal with 14 minutes to play came just three minutes after United had opened the scoring through Anthony Martial who had recently come off the bench as United strolled to an overall 5-0 aggregate win in the semi-final clash.
But when asked after the game where he developed his incredible piece of skill, Fernandes revealed he learned from the skillful winger and Portuguese icon Quaresma, who won 80 caps with Portugal between 2003 and 2018 and had a brief spell on loan at Chelsea in 2009.
The pair’s careers did briefly overlap with the Portugal team between 2017 and 2018.
Bruno Fernandes (left) played a skillful assist to set up Fred (with Marcus Rashford, far right) for Manchester United’s second goal in their 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest
Fernandes (right) celebrates a Portugal goal with Ricardo Quaresma (second left) in 2018
Quaresma had a short spell on loan at Chelsea in 2009 but only played five times
Quaresma had a good friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo as together they won Euro 2016
‘I learned from Quaresma so I had a great professor in Portugal so you have to learn with the players. You have to learn their tricks and use them’, he told Sky Sports on the pitch after the game, standing alongside team-mate Luke Shaw.
‘As Luke said, one in 20 is not bad! I’m really happy for the performance of the team and for the goals we had created.
‘We had some chances and could have scored more but I think Nottingham [Forest] defended really well. It was tough to get into their defence but we did it. We won and we are into the final so we are very happy with that.’
Fernandes put in a commanding central performance in midfield to seal a place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley later this month where the Red Devils will take on Newcastle United.
It represents a first chance for the Portugal star to win his first trophy with United, who are on a trophy drought stretching back to 2017 when they lifted the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
But Fernandes insists until then, it is vital for the club to not take their focus off the Premier League where they are still well in the hunt for a top four spot and a return to the Champions League next season.
‘Obviously it’s really good. For me it’s been three years in the cup, we reached one final and didn’t win that one unfortunately. But now we have another chance. But before that are a lot of games coming, we have to be prepared for that.
Fernandes takes on the Forest defence during a classy display in United’s 5-0 aggregate win
Fernandes, with Luke Shaw, was given man of the match as United reached the EFL Cup final
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
