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“Would be better”- Rangnick reveals why Fernandes took the penalty against Arsenal instead of Ronaldo

Erik ten Hag has good things to say about Arsenal as they visit Old Trafford to face Manchester United next.
Erik ten Hag has good things to say about Arsenal as they visit Old Trafford to face Manchester United next. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick reveals Cristiano Ronaldo decided against taking Manchester United penalty against Arsenal

Speaking after his side’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal last night (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick revealed that forward Cristiano Ronaldo decided against taking the penalty in the second half against the Gunners.

With the score at 2-1 heading into the half-time break, the Red Devils were given an opportunity early in the second half to level things up after Nuno Tavares brought down Nemanja Matic in the penalty box while battling for the ball.

After a VAR check was done to confirm the same and a penalty was awarded to United, many fans were surprised when Bruno Fernandes, who was the acting captain of the day, decided to step up to take the spot-kick instead of Ronaldo.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick reveals Cristiano Ronaldo decided against taking Manchester United penalty against Arsenal.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts to the missed penalty against Arsenal. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old would then go on to miss the penalty, hitting the post despite Aaron Ramsdale diving the wrong way. It would prove to be a costly miss as Arsenal would then kill the tie off with a piledriver from Granit Xhaka later on in the second period.

“He just didn’t feel he should take it”

With skipper Harry Maguire dropped for the game at the Emirates Stadium and left warming the bench, Fernandes took over the armband and led the side. However, nothing went the Portuguese star’s way in yesterday’s match.

When quizzed about the penalty incident, Rangnick said that he spoke to Ronaldo after the game about why he chose to pass on the penalty-taking duties to his compatriot, and revealed that the 37-year-old did not feel that he should take it and it would be better if Fernandes did it instead.

“I spoke with him after the game and asked him and 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.”

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick reveals Cristiano Ronaldo decided against taking Manchester United penalty against Arsenal.  (@ManUtd/Twitter)
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said Cristiano Ronaldo did not feel like taking the penalty against Arsenal. (@ManUtd/Twitter)

Many will be left wondering what would have happened if Ronaldo dispatched the penalty and levelled the scoreline at 2-2, but unfortunately, the result yesterday sees the Manchester side take a massive blow in their objective of securing a top-four place in the Premier League table.

The Old Trafford outfit remains in the sixth position, six points away from Arsenal who are in fourth place. The Gunners also have an advantage over United, having played a fixture less than their rivals and looking to make the most of their game in hand.

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Ronaldo has had a tough week, having to deal with the loss of his newborn baby boy and returning to action for his team so quickly. His emotions can perhaps be a big reason as to why he chose not to take the crucial spot-kick, and pass it on to Fernandes. It shows us that even the biggest stars are human after all, and not just machines who play the game every week mechanically.

The former Real Madrid man also seemed to dedicate his goal against Arsenal to the young one who recently passed away, pointing to the heavens in celebration to pull back a goal for his side as they trailed the north London giants by a single goal at half-time.

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