The Wembley arch was red and so was the lighting inside the Manchester United team coach. Bruno Fernandes beckoned Victor Lindelof over for a selfie. “Iceman,” Fernandes posted.
Lindelof was cool with his penalty. Fernandes seemed to know better than anyone that Lindelof would arrange a first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
The ball had not been fished from the Seagulls behind the goal and Lindelof was almost in the penalty area. Fernandes started lining up the United players and staff to prepare for their celebratory charge.
Many would have considered that to be hubris but Fernandes did not have a flicker of doubt. Lindelof’s kick was the best of the 13 conversions; struck with casual poise but so clinically. Also read: Reactions before and after Lindelof's kick show what it means to Fernandes and Weghorst The tip of Robert Sanchez’s glove will have wavered as he reached for Marcus Rashford’s shot and he palmed Marcel Sabitzer’s into the side of the net.