In a closely contested FA Cup final clash, Manchester United suffered a bitter 1-2 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals Manchester City on Saturday. Despite the disappointing loss, United captain Bruno Fernandes remains optimistic about the team's future, stating that they have taken significant steps forward for the upcoming season.
The encounter at Wembley Stadium saw an electrifying start when Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, stunning the United defence within just 12 seconds. Fernandes later equalised for his side from the penalty spot, only to witness Gundogan strike again early in the second half, securing the victory for the Premier League champions.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, Fernandes acknowledged the team's disappointment but emphasised the progress they had made over the course of the season. "Everyone is down and it's really difficult," he said. "We wanted to end the season in a different way but it wasn't possible. We've made big steps for next season."
Having broken their six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup in February and finishing third in the Premier League, Fernandes believes that United's overall season was a positive one. Looking ahead, he expressed determination to pursue even greater success in the future: "We have to come back next season and try to win bigger trophies."
While acknowledging City's deserving victory, Fernandes analysed the opening goal, saying, "We were too soft and gave up too much space for the first goal but it's an amazing strike. If players are tighter then maybe they can stop it, but it's an amazing strike."
Fernandes also expressed gratitude to the United fans for their unwavering support throughout the season, vowing to repay their loyalty in the future. "Our fans have been great all season, and they deserved a different result today," he stated. "We're disappointed that we couldn't give the fans the joy they deserve. We are grateful for everything they have done this season. I promise we will come and try again next season."
(With inputs from AFP)
