MANCHESTER – Bruno Fernandes scored twice and Manchester United stayed top of Group H by thrashing Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Marcus Rashford and Daniel James completed the scoring for Manchester United which moved to nine points from their four played games so far and avenged the 2-1 shocking defeat in Turkey when these two sides met earlier in the group.
Fernandes opened the scoring with an unbelievable strike from just outside the area after seven minutes and then he doubled the scoring in the 19th minute with an easy tap in. The Portuguese turned down the chance to complete his hat-trick when he allowed Rashford to score from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.
“Of course every player wants to do a hat-trick but after the game in the Premier League, I told Rashy the next one he would take,” Fernandes said on BT Sports. “I remembered that – and also because he’s one of the top scorers in the Champions League, I thought it would be important for him there to take that confidence but it doesn’t matter who takes the penalties, the most important is scoring.”
James wrapped up the scoring in time added on when he finished off a nice assist from fellow substitute Mason Greenwood.
Istanbul Basaksehir grabbed a goal in the 75th minute through Deniz Turuc, who beat David de Gea with a superb free-kick.
Manchester United were again without midfielder Paul Pogba, but striker Edinson Cavani was handed his first start since joining the club in the summer transfer window.
Next up for Manchester United is a clash against French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford before traveling to RB Leipzig to close out the group. The Premier League side need just a point from the last two games to advance to the last 16 after Christmas.
