‘I was waiting’ - Bruno Fernandes and Jonny Evans explain Manchester United goal vs Burnley

Bruno Fernandes and Jonny Evans said Burnley’s tight defensive game forced Manchester United to go long-ball for the winning goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win.

Evans was starting his first match for United since 2015 having made a shock return transfer this summer. He was selected to play amid injuries to Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and now Lisandro Martinez but was effective up the other end of the pitch too.

After having a header ruled out by VAR due to Rasmus Hojlund being in an offside position, Evans raked a 40-yard pass over to Fernandes who smashed the ball into the corner of the net just before half-time.

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Fernandes hailed the quality of Evans and knew he was capable of delivering such a precise pass. He told TNT Sports: “It was a great pass obviously. I know he has great qualities playing the ball in behind with both feet so I knew he could give this pass so I was waiting for him.

“It was tough to get in behind them because the line is so well worked from them. It was a great ball and I’m really happy for the win.”

Evans later explained how he had spotted Fernandes - who was playing on the right - making a move towards goal and decided to try and find his captain after being given time on the ball.

The Northern Irishman said: “We were finding it hard to break them down and I was given a bit of time in their own half, so I thought just maybe try and stretch them a bit.

“We made a little bit of eye contact just before I made the ball and I thought that I’ve got to hit and it’s worth a shot and as soon as it came off his boot I thought it’s a goal.”

Fernandes admitted United have not been at the