Bruno Fernandes has revealed that his instinctive free-kick to tee up a goal for Anthony Martial against rivals Manchester City was entirely unplanned.
The big-money January signing has hit the ground running at United, scoring three goals and providing four assists in his first nine appearances for the club before the coronavirus shutdown and claiming back-to-back Sir Matt Busby Player of the Month awards.
A sublime free-kick assist for Martial in United's impressive 2-0 victory over rivals City last month was a notable moment in an already extensive highlight reel.
The 25-year-old fooled the City back-line, cheekily chipping over Sergio Aguero for Martial to fire home from a tight angle and give United the lead.
Fernandes - speaking in a Q&A on United's official website - has now offered some insight into how the goal was constructed.
Asked who planned the routine, he replied: “It was not a plan. Everyone knows against Everton we did the same. Against Watford, if I'm not mistaken, we did the same.
"It was one of those things: when you are in the pitch, you know your team-mates when you look at them. It's like a pass. You look at him, and you feel something. You feel, [and] it goes."
Fernandes and team-mate Fred were in discussion as to who should take the free-kick when the Portuguese spotted Martial's gaze. He was careful not to give away the plan.
"I started talking, and I already saw Anthony look at me," he said. "He looks at me, I look at him, I feel he wants the same as me. So you go off feelings, you know?
"I talked with Fred, and I talked like: 'Okay, Fred, you go.’ So if someone of Manchester City listens [they think] I've told Fred to go and they can relax.
"I started to look at the edge [of the area] and [motioned] 'Go second post, go second post. In the moment that the referee whistled, I feel Anto [Martial] is just ready and think: 'I go now.’
"I had the right time; it was a perfect ball, it was a perfect finish. It was everything in the right time, you know?"
Fernandes' contributions have played a crucial role in United's resurgence.
Prior to the Covid-19 crisis suspending football in England indefinitely, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were on an 11-game unbeaten streak.
