Bruno Fernandes Spends 45 Minutes Practicing Free Kicks Before Against Liverpool

Bruno Fernandes (twitter @ManUtd)

JAKARTA - Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that Bruno Fernandes spent nearly 45 minutes practicing the execution of free kicks in the final training session ahead of the FA Cup fourth round match against Liverpool.

Fernandes' hard work paid off because he scored the decisive goal in the 3-2 victory over Liverpool through the execution of his free kick at Old Trafford on Sunday local time (Monday WIB).

"Beautiful goal with a good free kick," said Solskjaer commenting on Fernandes' goal after the match.

"I think yesterday he spent almost 45 minutes after the training session practicing free kicks, so I am quite confident he will score from that free kick," he added.

Solskjaer admitted that usually he would not leave Fernandes on the training field for too long if the player would play from the start of the match in the next match.

However, Fernandes did not become the starting eleven in the match against Liverpool and only came down in the 67th minute to replace Donny van de Beek to play the role of the supersub that determines the victory.

A win for our fans to savor 👊Sweet dreams, Reds ❤ # MUFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/oAyYf7UNFQ

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021

Solskjaer also praised the positive reaction shown by his players who found them falling behind first because of Mohamed Salah's goal in the 18th minute.

Mason Greenwood scored a counter-goal eight minutes later with a precise counter-attack by completing a charming cross from Marcus Rashford.

Rashford then brought United into the lead using a blunder by a young Liverpool defender, Rhys Williams, at the start of the second half.

Liverpool returned to level with Salah's second goal in the 58th minute, which later became the reason for Solskjaer to send Fernandes in to help his team change things.

📸 Who doesn't love a good 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 post? 🔴 # MUFC🏆 #FACup pic.twitter.com/CEGD4CW4N9

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021

"Against Liverpool of course we have to put together a good defense and I think the players reacted very well. Until the final minutes Liverpool were always threatening, but at the same time we suppressed it all," said Solskjaer.

"I hope everyone enjoy it. As a coach, I naturally focus on every smallest detail. To be honest there are many positive things even though we conceded two goals," he concluded.

Sliding into the fifth round like ... 😎Here's a reminder of who's next up in the #FACup for #MUFC 👇

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021

In the fifth round of the FA Cup, MU will return to play at home to West Ham United in the match period of 9-11 February.