Bruno Fernandes has agreed with Rúben Amorim’s assessment of one of Manchester United’s stars following the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
Rasmus Højlund came to Rúben Amorim’s rescue with a dramatic last-minute equaliser as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon on the south coast.
The match started with United aiming to match Bournemouth’s intensity and physical approach, but it was the hosts who struck first, with Antoine Semenyo firing them ahead just after the 20-minute mark.
Although United looked to find a way back into the game, Alejandro Garnacho couldn’t take advantage of a couple of decent openings, and the teams went into the break with Andoni Iraola’s side leading.
The second half saw much of United’s threat coming through Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu down the left-hand side, but it wasn’t until the 70th minute that the match tilted, as Evanilson was sent off for a late challenge on Noussair Mazraoui.
United pushed hard late on, with chances falling to Chido Obi and Mason Mount, and it was Højlund who eventually made the breakthrough deep into stoppage time to secure a point for Amorim’s team.
Amorim speaks on Højlunds’s goal
Højlund’s goal against Bournemouth was his 25th for United, although it marked just his second Premier League strike in his last 19 appearances.
The Dane showed sharp instincts with an underrated finish, reacting quickly after Manuel Ugarte steered the ball into his path to convert from close range.
Speaking to MUTV after the match, Amorim emphasised the importance of Højlund finding the net ahead of United’s Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao next week.
“It’s always important for a striker to score a goal, but it’s just one goal,” he told club media. “So he needs to be fresh and ready to play and to score another.”
Fernandes agrees with Amorim’s Højlund assessment
Speaking to the same channel, United’s captain Bruno Fernandes agreed with Amorim’s assessment of Højlund’s role in the squad, explaining that the 22-year-old understands his responsibilities.
“[Being a] striker is about scoring goals and we all know that,” Fernandes said. “He knows the responsibility of being the number nine of United, and he has to score goals.
“That’s the demand of a club like this, not only for him but for everyone else, everyone that plays here and has the qualities to get into the box and score goals, has to do it.
“And today was Rasmus, and everyone is very happy to see the striker scoring, and hopefully it’s going to give him a little bit of a push for what’s coming [against Bilbao].”
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