Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, showcased his class not only on the field but also in a post-match interview alongside Jonny Evans following their team’s 1-0 victory over Burnley.
Fernandes was voted Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, which included scoring the game’s only goal and helping United return to winning ways after a challenging period.
While the spotlight was primarily on Fernandes, the attention shifted to his new teammate, Jonny Evans, who made a return to Old Trafford this summer after an eight-year absence.
Evans had previously spent 11 years at the club from 2004 to 2015 before departing for West Bromwich Albion after making 198 appearances for Manchester United.
He then spent five years at Leicester City before leaving when the Foxes were relegated to the Championship last season.
Surprisingly, Manchester United signed the now 35-year-old Evans on a one-year deal in the summer, a move that raised eyebrows.
Given his advanced age, it seemed unlikely that he would play a significant role for Erik ten Hag’s side this season.
However, his performance against Burnley silenced many of his doubters. During the interview alongside Fernandes, Evans discussed the occasion, and his captain displayed absolute class in honoring him.
How good was Jonny Evans?
Following his exceptional performance against Burnley, Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Man of the Match title but chose to pay tribute to Jonny Evans instead. Evans marked his 200th appearance for Manchester United in the match against Vincent Kompany’s side, and he described the game as the “best night of his life.” Fernandes’ gesture was a testament to the camaraderie and respect within the team.
Jonny Evans has been called upon more frequently than anticipated due to injuries to key players in the team’s defense. However, he delivered a truly outstanding performance against Burnley, reminiscent of his earlier years.
Evans displayed composure at the back and reintroduced a level of defensive stability that had been lacking recently.
He played a crucial role in Bruno Fernandes’ winning goal with a superb pass over the Clarets’ defense and even found the back of the net himself, although his goal was disallowed after a VAR review. His contributions on both ends of the pitch showcased his enduring quality.
Speaking on the fact, the Northern Irishman admitted he had no expectations of starting for United this year, saying, perESPN: “I loved every minute of it. Before the game you get a feeling, I couldn’t wait, it was just pure excitement.
“Coming up here on the bus I was buzzing. That was my 200th game for Man Utd, I never thought I would ever reach that figure – the best night of my life. When you get to a certain age, you start to wind down your career. I got the call [from United] and didn’t have another option, so I just took it and tried to do my best in training and take my chance.
“You then just hope your body sees you through. It was never a thought that I would come in and be a starter — I was told that my role would be to provide competition and that is how I have approached it. With a few injuries, I then had the chance to start tonight. I think I slotted in well tonight and really added my experience to the side.”
He certainly did just that and his captain showed a touch of class as the pair were interviewed after the game.
What did Bruno Fernandes do?
Following their interview together, Fernandes was handed his man-of-the-match trophy but showed a touch of class in handing it over to Evans to celebrate his effort at the back for the Red Devils. It was a proper captain’s display and showed why the Portuguese star is a natural leader at Old Trafford.
Bruno fernandes give shis MOTM award to Evans, Great from the captain. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/9KbS4SBenD
— Tjay Fan (@LilTjayFan_) September 23, 2023
Bruno Fernandes gave his MOTM award to Jonny Evans following Man Utd’s win against Burnley 🤝 pic.twitter.com/fg2e1cTAp7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 24, 2023
Bruno Fernandes’ decision to pass on the Man of the Match award and the spotlight to Jonny Evans, emphasizing the center-back’s impressive performance for the club, demonstrated a selfless and team-oriented attitude. While it remains to be seen whether Evans can maintain this level of performance in the future, there’s no denying that he looked exceptional on Saturday, and his captain clearly recognized and appreciated his contributions. It’s a testament to the camaraderie and respect within the team.