Fernandes' Beautiful Goal To The Liverpool Goal Was Inseparable From The 'cat-and-mouse' Action With The Referee

Bruno Fernandes tricks the referee in the match against Liverpool (Insider.com video screenshot)

JAKARTA - Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes determined Manchester United's victory over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup which took place on Sunday, January 24 evening. His beautiful free kick was unable to be defeated by the Reds goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. But, do you know, there was an interesting incident just before the free kick was executed by Fernandes.

Manchester United played 'cat and mouse' with the referee in that match. When the scores draw 2-2 in the 78th minute, United get a free kick from the edge of the penalty area.

Seeing the video uploaded by Insider, after the referee set the ball in a position he thought was the right point of foul, Fernandes moved the ball further back to increase its angle into the net.

The referee sees this and moves the ball back to its original place. After Fernandes, Fred and Marcus Rashford objected, the referee returned the ball to its original point with his feet.

However, that didn't stop Fernandes as he and his teammates distracted the referee with the words, "Look behind you!" move. When the referee looked away, Fernandes moved the ball back. As if tired, the referee let the ball in its new place without moving it one bit. Fernandes then took a free kick. Check out the video here.

The 'cat-and-mouse' managed to help Fernandes bring the ball through the Liverpool wall and tore Alisson's net. The 3-2 score ended until the long whistle sounded and United advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Goal of Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United in video! 🤯🎥 # MUNLIV #MUFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/T04nlXTXDp

- Manchester United 🔴 (@ManUnitedENG_) January 24, 2021

After the match, coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Fernandes spent nearly 45 minutes practicing the execution of free kicks in the last training session ahead of the match against Liverpool.

Fernandes' hard work paid off even though he had to start playing 'cat and mouse' with the referee.

"Beautiful goal with a good free kick," said Solskjaer commenting on Fernandes' goal after the match as reported by MU's official website.

"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.