Juan Mata sent a congratulatory message to Bruno Fernandes after he netted the winning goal to help Manchester United seal a 1-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.
Fernandes, donning the captain's armband for the second game in succession, brought a relatively low-key contest to life just ten minutes into the second-half, converting a fine volley from inside the penalty area. It was a sweet, well-taken strike from the Portuguese international to open his account for the campaign.
It was a brilliant ball into the box by fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot and Fernandes made no mistake to fire United to their first away win of the season, ensuring they followed up Monday night's 2-1 triumph over Liverpool with another three-point haul.
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As well his strike securing United a second successive win, it also secured them a first away league win since February and a first clean sheet on the road since last December.
For Fernandes, it marked his first goal since he scored in United's 3-0 win over Brentford back in May at Old Trafford. It had been a long wait for him to get back among the goals, but it was one he richly deserved in the eyes of former teammate Mata, who left Old Trafford at the end of last season.
Replying to Fernandes' Instagram post reacting to the win, Mata said: "You deserve it," as well as posting a love heart emoji. The duo have a very close friendship and Mata was delighted to see his former teammate get his first goal of the campaign, which will hopefully act as a massive confidence booster moving forward.
Fernandes scored ten goals in the Premier League last season, and he will have ambitions to improve on that tally this season and get closer to the tally of 28 he netted during the Covid-hit 2020/21 campaign. Mata, meanwhile, remains on the hunt for a new club.
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