Why Bruno Fernandes let Marcus Rashford take Manchester United penalty vs Everton

Bruno Fernandes has admitted he gave Marcus Rashford the chance to score from the penalty spot in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Everton to try and restore some confidence.

After Anthony Martial was booked for allegedly diving, a VAR intervention resulted in referee John Brooks rescinding the Frenchman's yellow card and awarding United a penalty. Fernandes grabbed the ball but he handed it over to Rashford, granting him the opportunity to double United's lead just over 10 minutes into the second half.

Rashford, who started on the right-wing, stepped up and emphatically fired the ball high into the net past England teammate Jordan Pickford. It marked his first goal since scoring in the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on September 3.

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Having gone 12 games without scoring in United colours, Fernandes felt it was a golden opportunity for Rashford to get back among the goals and restore some confidence. The academy graduate didn't let his captain down.

"I felt Marcus needed a little bit of confidence and needed his goal," Fernandes told Sky Sports. "Marcus is an excellent penalty taker and I was truly 100 per cent sure he could score that penalty.

"It is not about who takes it, it is about scoring the penalty, and Marcus did it perfectly."

Having notched his second goal of the season, Rashford will be hoping it proves to be a turning point in his fortunes, though he will miss Wednesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray through suspension. Fernandes is hoping it will increase his confidence levels.

The Portuguese added: "Obviously, strikers and wingers want to score goals, they need to score goals; that is