Bruno Fernandes stepped up in the nick of time for Manchester United as the captain’s last-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Fulham that will ease the pressure on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag somewhat.
The former right-hand man of Sir Alex Ferguson listed two iconic Manchester United players as his “favorite.”
With Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous legacy at Old Trafford coming to an end, David Gill, the former right-hand man of Ferguson, revealed two of his favorite Manchester United players.
Gill, who held the position of chief executive at Old Trafford until his departure in 2013, played a crucial role during Ferguson’s remarkable tenure at United.
Former players and club officials held great regard for the former United chief executive, and Rio Ferdinand recently demonstrated his admiration for Gill.
Ed Woodward, who subsequently left his post at Old Trafford in 2022 and was replaced by Richard Arnold, would take over Gill’s duties at United.
Following the end of his time at United, Gill served as vice-president of FIFA and is currently the vice-president and treasurer at UEFA.
Gill had a close relationship with Ferguson and engineered key decisions behind the scenes at United, but he also revealed the two players who were his “favourites.”
During the January transfer window in 2006, Ferguson signed Patrice Evra from Monaco in a reported £5.5m deal and Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow for £7m.
According to the BBC in 2006, Gill had even flown “to the principality” to ensure that a deal for the then-Inter Milan-linked Evra was completed for United
Vidic and Evra would write their names into the United history books, with the ex-Spartak Moscow player and ex-Monaco man becoming key players for Ferguson.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in 2015, Gill admitted that the likes of Evra and Vidic were among his “favourites” at United.
“I’m not going to name one, but in terms of favourites I like, it’s people like Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic,” he said at the time.
“Patrice, in particular, really embodied what Manchester United was about.
“I always feel that the ones who did embrace coming into Manchester and England, and learning the language, were the ones who did better.
“It used to annoy me intensely when a player we signed was still doing an interview in his mother tongue two or three years later to the British media.
“It was always a real buzz when you got a player in, though. There was something about it, especially when a player transformed the team or scored a winning goal.”
Gill on his relationship with Ferguson
Ferguson and Gill were both spotted together this month at the funeral of United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away in October at the age of 86.
Gill left United in the same summer as the Red Devils’ last Premier League title win, with Ferguson calling it time on his prolific career at the end of the 2012-13 season.
United’s former chief executive called Ferguson the club’s “most important employee,” but Gill also admitted that he had “some run-ins” with the Scotsman.
Alex was excellent at the same time because he realized that the success of the club depended on the other members performing well as well as he did.
“Investing in the training ground, the stadium side, and the commercial side.” In that regard, he was shrewd, but he also enjoyed the kind of prosperity that allowed him to see the big picture.
We got along, and you’d have to ask him later, but I believe he respected my viewpoint on several football-related issues.
But we did have a few run-ins. I don’t think we would have been successful if we hadn’t.
“We both wanted Manchester United to be as successful as it could be in the end.”
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Man Utd player ratings vs Fulham: Bruno Fernandes finds a vital late winner – but concerns around Antony and Christian Eriksen remain
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United would have felt aggrieved had they not won after Scott McTominay had an early goal controversially ruled out after Harry Maguire was adjudged to be offside and interfering with play despite failing to make contact with Christian Eriksen’s free-kick in the build-up.
From there, the Red Devils created little of note, and were indebted to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two quickfire saves to deny Harry Wilson and Joao Palhinha just after the hour mark as Marco Silva’s side looked to take the initiative.
That was as close as the home side came, however, and it was left to Fernandes to produce the decisive moment, as his low shot from the edge of the penalty area made its way into the bottom corner as Bernd Leno tried in vain to keep it out.
GOAL rates United’s players from Craven Cottage…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (7/10):
Barely called upon until the middle of the second half, but made strong saves from both Wilson and Palhinha. Distribution continues to improve.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):
Looked half-a-yard off it at times in his first start since recovering from injury. Made a couple of vital interventions, though.
Harry Maguire (6/10):
Questions will be asked of whether he should have stayed on amid concern for a head injury, but put a solid shift in defensively while trying to spark attacks while in possession.
Jonny Evans (6/10):
Fulham didn’t offer much of a threat but the veteran stood up well to what was thrown at him.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Bounced back from his dreadful showing in midweek and combined well with Garnacho down the left. Excellent clearance denied Wilson a clear shot on goal in the first half.
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Midfield
Christian Eriksen (3/10):
A real concern. Constantly gave the ball away in midfield and then didn’t have the pace to get back and stop Fulham counter-attacks. Set-piece delivery just about the only plus point.
Scott McTominay (7/10):
Unfortunate to have his early goal ruled out for offside, but didn’t let it affect him. Energetic presence caused problems in attack and worked hard defensively.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
Not able to have the influence on the game that United needed for much of the afternoon, but popped up with the last-minute winner to send the away fans into raptures.
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Attack
Antony (3/10):
Continues to offer next to nothing. Wasteful when in good attacking positions while he might as well not have bothered when it came to his defensive responsibilities. Surely must be running out of chances.
Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):
Received next to no service, and thus his reaction to being substituted can be understood. Tried to hold the ball up when asked to, but needs more help from those around him.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):
Bright on his return to the ground where he truly announced himself last season and unfortunate his controlled assist for McTominay’s disallowed goal was ruled out. Probably deserves more starting opportunities going forward.
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Subs & Manager
Facundo Pellistri (7/10):
Replaced Antony and produced some nice touches and got a shot in on goal. Determination to win the ball deep in the Fulham half eventually led to United’s winner.
Mason Mount (5/10):
First touch was a misplaced through-ball for Garnacho, which just about sums up his United career so far.
Anthony Martial (6/10):
Saw an acrobatic volley drop just wide shortly after replacing Hojlund for the final 10 minutes.
Raphael Varane (N/A):
On in injury-time to help shore up the defence.
Erik ten Hag (4/10):
The win was there for the taking but Ten Hag’s inability to set up a functional midfield and insistence on picking Antony left United short of cutting edge. Got out of jail by his captain Fernandes.
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