Juan Mata congratulates Bruno Fernandes after winner v Southampton

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Bruno Fernandes scored his first ever Manchester United goal wearing the number 8 shirt.

The strike was the winner against Southampton and helped United to a second victory in a row and a first away win since February.

It also ended a long stretch without a goal for Fernandes, coming in a match in which he wore the captain’s armband with Harry Maguire once again left on the bench.

Fernandes’ efforts were praised by the player he took the number 8 shirt from, Juan Mata.

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Mata praises Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes volleyed United’s winner into the net early in the second half before the team dug in to keep a clean sheet, with new signing Casemiro coming on to help the team close out the game.

Casemiro is now wearing Fernandes’ old 18 shirt, with Fernandes taking the 8 after Mata was released.

Mata sent a message to Fernandes congratulating him, commenting ‘You deserve it’, on Instagram

Mata is still a free agent since his release from Manchester United. He is expected to pick a club soon, to continue his career.

United meanwhile are now picking up, with two wins in a row lifting the team, for now, back into the top half of the table.

The team will attempt to make it three wins on the bounce away at Leicester City on Thursday night.