Ruben Amorim has eased fears that Bruno Fernandes may have picked up an injury in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, insisting ‘everything is okay’ with the midfielder.
United were found wanting in the first half and Palace duly capitalised, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring from the penalty spot – at the second time of asking – after being scythed down by Leny Yoro inside the box.
But the Red Devils rallied in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts as Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount both netted in the space of nine minutes to turn the contest on its head.
There was some nervy moments for the visitors in the closing stages but Ruben Amorim’s men dug deep to secure only their second win from their last 12 matches away from home.
The victory – which came after United had slumped to a wretched 1-0 defeat at home to ten-man Everton – saw the club rise to sixth in the Premier League table, one-point off fourth-placed Sunderland.
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Fernandes assisted both of United’s goals in what was an inspired second-half display from the visiting captain at Selhurst Park. It sent the Portuguese top of the assists chart (5), with Granit Xhaka, Yankuba Minteh, Quilindschy Hartman, Mohammed Kudus and Jack Grealish all registering four assists at this stage of the season.
But Fernandes hit the deck after a heavy kick in the dying moments and there was some concern as the midfielder – who was named man of the match – was seen speaking at length with members of United’s coaching staff.
‘It was a kick,’ Amorim replied when asked for an update on Fernandes’ fitness in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
‘I was shouting at him, we made a substitution in the end.
‘He needed to talk to the bench but he said it was just a kick so everything is okay.’
Amorim was pleased with the level of ‘intensity’ United showed in the second half after a disappointing opening 45 minutes.
‘We had more intensity and we played better in the second half and the opponent was more tired so everything connected,’ the United head coach added.
‘But again, the small things, the way that Josh [Zirkzee] controlled the ball in the second half was different, the way we defended second balls was different, so the small details make the difference.
‘Then, the talent in front, we scored two goals.’
United now sit level with Premier League leaders Arsenal for the most set-piece goals, with both teams scoring ten times from set-plays after 12 matches.
‘It’s so important in our league because it’s hard to play against every opponent and you can sense by throw-ins, free-kicks, corners that you can score a goal, open the game, give more confidence to the team,’ Amorim explained.
‘If you look at the Premier League, if you don’t work on set-pieces then you are losing the game already.’
According to Amorim, Zirkzee’s well-taken 54th-minute strike could be key when it comes to the Dutchman rediscovering his confidence in front of goal.
The forward’s previous goal in the Premier League came way back on December 1 2024, when he scored twice in a 4-0 win over Everton.
On Zirkzee’s first goal in the Premier League in almost a year, Amorim said: ‘It’s so important for a striker to score goals. He’s not playing many minutesbut the way he responded in the second half is really important.
‘That was more important than just the goal.
‘Again, the small details, winning first balls for us to win the second ball, the connection, that is so important for our game and the game is really important for the team and for him.’
Amorim hopes United are able to carry their form into their next clash at home to West Ham and believes his side have what it takes to beat ‘anyone’ on their day.
He went on: ‘It’s important to win every game and, again, today was the proof that if we fight for every ball and the small details: the certainty on the pass, the movement.
‘If we work on that at a different pace, we can beat anyone.
‘Let’s try to show that in the next game.’