BRUNO FERNANDES SHOWS LEADERSHIP IN TRAINING AS SQUAD RESPONDS
Bruno Fernandes is mentoring Manchester United's record signing Matheus Cunha, helping the Brazilian adapt on and off the pitch. Their bond is paying dividends as Cunha opens his goal account.
Bruno Fernandes Makes Statement In Training As United Players Respond - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Matheus Cunha has been mentored by Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to help him reach his full potential and become a hero at Old Trafford.
Cunha, 26, had a rough start to life at United after joining in the summer for £62.5 million from Wolves. In fact, he missed one game due to a hamstring injury before the first international break and did not score or assist in any of his first eight outings.
But in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Brighton, the Brazil international broke his goal drought and scored his first goal for United. Cunha gave goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen no chance as he curled the ball from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to score his team's first goal.
According to The Sun, Fernandes has been "incremental" in assisting Cunha in managing the demands of playing for United. The two have developed a close mentoring relationship as a result of their shared Portuguese language skills.
It is reported that Fernandes and Cunha worked on free kicks and set pieces for hours during extra training sessions, and their strong bond is beginning to show on the field.
According to sources at The Sun, Cunha's confidence and emotional regulation have improved under Fernandes' tutelage, particularly during the Brazilian's stint out due to injury.
Despite neither scoring nor providing an assist in last Sunday's 2-1 victory over Liverpool, Cunha made an impression and offered hints that he might be a true star asset for United and head coach Ruben Amorim.
Amorim was full of praise for the former Wolves and Atletico Madrid player, who scored 17 goals in 36 games last season, after he managed to get on the scoresheet against Brighton.
"He was having trouble. "He can conceal that, but I know he is having difficulties," Amorim told the BBC. However, he exudes confidence throughout the entire game. I adore his style of defence. I realise I am a little simplistic, but his response at Anfield was not shocking.
"His style of play with the ball is not surprising, but he is getting better when he does not have it. That will have a huge impact on our team. He must score goals; he suffered when he failed to do so, but he is a great player because he makes the game-winning decisions, and I am very happy with him."
On Saturday, Cunha and United return to play as they visit Nottingham Forest. A fourth consecutive Premier League victory at the City Ground would put them as high as second in the standings.
With three straight wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, the Reds are in scorching form and have risen from the bottom part of the table to sixth place.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.