By Lori Ewing
The Portugal international’s first goal, in the 40th minute, hauled United back into the game after Leif Davis had put Ipswich on the scoreboard. The 31-year-old struck twice more, including once from the penalty spot, to complete only his second Premier League hat-trick, his first having also come in United’s opening home match of a season against Leeds United five years ago.
Fernandes scored a hat-trick to inspire a 5-2 thrashing that gave Michael Carrick’s side their first Premier League win of the season after an embarrassing opening-day defeat by promoted Hull City, reminding everyone that while he may be one of the league’s elite playmakers, he remains capable of taking games over as a goalscorer too. MANCHESTER, England, – Bruno Fernandes is normally Manchester United’s creator-in-chief, the player threading passes through impossible gaps and supplying chances for others. “He’s been here for a good number of years now. He’s experienced a whole load of different emotions and different things. Fernandes, a big reason for United’s eventual third-place finish, collected an impressive haul of individual honours, including the Premier League Player of the Season award, while also breaking the league record for assists in a campaign. But this was Fernandes’ day. The league’s assist king swapped provider for predator, rescuing United when they needed him most and underlining once again why Carrick’s side still revolves around their captain.
“He means a lot,” Carrick said. Against Ipswich Town on Sunday, however, the captain decided to finish the job himself.
