Cristiano Ronaldo "did not feel" he should have taken the penalty Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes squandered in the defeat by Arsenal.
The Red Devils lost 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon with the result practically quashing their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Nuno Tavares and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a commanding lead before Ronaldo pulled one back in the first half.
United were then handed a golden chance to equalise just before the hour mark after Tavares was judged to have handled a delivery from a corner. The visitors were awarded a penalty and, to the surprise of many Premier League fans, Fernandes stepped up to take it instead of top-goalscorer Ronaldo, with whom he has shared spot kick duties this season.
To the anguish of the away end, Fernandes' effort from 12 yards clipped the outside of the post and United soon found themselves two goals down once again as Granit Xhaka rifled in from long range. Red Devils interim manager Ralf Rangnick was quizzed on why Ronaldo - the most prolific player of all time - did not take the penalty and admitted the five-time Ballon d'Or winner felt Fernandes was better placed to convert it.
"I spoke with him after the game and asked him," Rangnick said of his post-match conversation with Ronaldo. "He said he just didn't feel he should take it and that's why he said it would be better if Bruno took it." Ronaldo returned to the United starting XI to face Arsenal after missing the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool in midweek following the tragic death of his newborn son.
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There was a moving moment in the seconds after he scored the visitors' only goal of the game when he was seen pointing to the sky in what seemed to be a tribute to his baby boy. Although the result did not go his side's way, Ronaldo's goal was a significant one on an individual level as it was his 100th in the Premier League.
Speaking at half-time, Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on his former teammate for the way he drifted away from Arsenal defender Gabriel to prod past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. "That is all he would have been thinking about last night, trying to win the game but also getting on the scoresheet," Ferdinand said of Ronaldo.
"It is a fabulous finish, a great strike and a great connection. He is so cool under pressure because it is a very difficult goal to score this on his weak foot, but Gabriel has to do better. He (Ronaldo) brings a nervousness in that area and attack the ball."
