Bruno Fernandes has come to the defence of Man Utd team-mate Jesse Lingard after the winger scored in their 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday.
A second-half Fernandes penalty and Lingard’s late goal – after Kasper Schmeichel’s howler – secured the win as Man Utd rejoined Europe’s elite after a one-year absence.
United continued their resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they clinched third in the Premier League ahead of Chelsea.
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Lingard has found opportunities tough to come by at Old Trafford this season with his form on the decline for months and he gave an honest interview on Friday that explained how “family issues” have affected his performances on the pitch.
And Fernandes says Lingard deserved his goal against Leicester on Sunday as he’s been working hard in training in an effort to help his team.
Fernandes told MUTV: “Of course it’s a mistake from the keeper also but if Jesse doesn’t go there the goal doesn’t come so it’s for this we work.
“For me Jesse deserved this goal because of what he works for all week, for all the comments everyone is saying about him and other players because they don’t play too much or they don’t play good enough.
“I think this is the reason Jesse scored because we’re training hard, training hard to help all the team.”
Speaking about his own goal record, Fernandes added: “I think the most important one will be the next.
“I’m always thinking about the next one. I’m happy, all goals are important in different ways.”