Paul Scholes hails ‘sensational’ Bruno Fernandes goal from area the Manchester United legend ‘used to love’

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has praised Bruno Fernandes’ stunning half-volley against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League, drawing similarities between the Portugal midfielder and himself.

United were 4-1 winners at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, with Fernandes netting a brace to put the hosts 2-0 ahead within the first 20 minutes.

And his first finish – an impressive, first-time half-volley from the edge of the opposition box – particularly caught Scholes’ eye.

Scholes was joined in the BT Sport studio by Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves for coverage of the group-stage clash, and the pair both suggested Fernandes’ first goal had been “Scholesy-esque”.

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Scholes then admitted: “I used to love that spot.

“Waiting for the ball to come and hoping there’s no defenders and hoping nobody’s on the edge of the box.

“What a first-time strike and it was a sensational goal. [Fernandes] was the one that won it for them early on.

“He’s their most creative player and he will create all the chances, even the scrappy goals from midfield – they all count.”

Fernandes’ second goal was a tap-in after Istanbul goalkeeper Mert Gunok spilled a cross, and the midfielder then let Marcus Rashford take a penalty to make it 3-0.

Istanbul pulled one back when David de Gea failed to keep Deniz Turuc’s free-kick from crossing the goal line, but Dan James added a fourth for United in the dying moments of the match.

The result saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side move to nine points from 12 at the top of Group H with two games left to play.

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