Bruno Fernandes says Leeds United ‘did nothing’ after Willy Gnonto’s opener during their 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, as he told Premier League Productions (08/02/23 at 10:30 pm).
The Portugal international admitted that he was at fault for Leeds’ blistering start because he failed to win his second duel inside his own half, which led to Patrick Bamford and Willy Gnonto combining to score.
Leeds, who sacked Jesse Marsch leading up to this game, were full of energy, failing to let Man United have any time on the ball and were causing all sorts of issues without the ball.
There’s no doubt that they deserved their opening goal and then, subsequently, their second, which came minutes into the second half.
That’s when the home team really came to life, with Marcus Rashford pulling a goal back before substitute Jadon Sancho netted the equaliser.
When Leeds’ opening goal went in, Fernandes felt that his team had ‘control’ of the game, as he was critical of the two goals Erik ten Hag’s men conceded.
“Before we scored the 2-2, our main aim was to win the game,” said Fernandes. “We didn’t. We get one point. It’s really frustrating because we start really badly in the first half and really badly in the second half, conceding two goals in the first few minutes.
“It was a massive reaction and it was great to see it. But not the result that we wanted.
“Nothing to do with changes (our poor start). In the first few minutes of the game, we concede a goal. I should have been stronger in the second duel. I won the first duel. They get the ball and scored the goal.
“After, we had control of the game. They did nothing. I think we did well, even in the first half, we create a lot of chances but we were not good enough to score the chances. But we have to look forward to the next game, it’s coming quickly. It’s them again away.”
NOW FOR ROUND TWO…
Given that Leeds were the ones who let a two-goal lead slip, then they will be the ones who will be most disappointed at yesterday’s result, which probably says a lot.
From an attacking sense, with the Elland Road crowd behind them on Sunday, the Yorkshire outfit will be backing themselves to get on the scoresheet again.
The issue is their defence and their inability to stop conceding so many chances, and with someone like Rashford in his current form, then he will be backing himself to cause damage again.
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