Bruno: I always felt we would win
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes says he always believed the Reds would be able to claim victory over Villarreal, despite the seconds ticking away at Old Trafford.
The Yellow Submarine took the lead through Paco Alcacer early in the second half, before a sweet strike from Alex Telles levelled things and Cristiano Ronaldo found a glorious winner in the 95th minute.
Speaking to MUTV and BT Sport, Bruno said: “I always had the feeling we would win the game, also when they scored I feel we could come again and turn it around.
“After the goal of Alex, everyone feels the atmosphere was unbelievable. The push from the fans was incredible."
On the drama of Ronaldo’s late winner, he added: "We knew it with Cristiano, at any moment, every ball in the box could be a goal.
“As you see, we started to make a little bit more crosses, we started to attack more down the wings and make crosses, put the ball in the box, because we know Edi and Cristiano at any moment with the ball in the box, whether it bounces or goes towards the keeper, they have the feeling.
“They are the strikers who have the feeling for the goal. They feel it and Cristiano did it once again, and he will do it more and more in the current season. He and Edi and Anthony will be really important for us because they will score many, many goals."
'It's a great feeling to wear the armband'
Captain Bruno reflects on a great night, both for him personally and the team...
Further crediting the impact of the fans in the Reds’ comeback, the Portuguese said: "It was my first Champions League night here with fans and it was unbelievable. It's a great feeling, the atmosphere was unbelievable, but for me, Champions League or not, the atmosphere at Old Trafford has been fantastic.
“Obviously, everyone sees it as a special competition and it is special for everyone but I think at Old Trafford it has been special every time with fans. So I cannot see this as being better than the ones because the fans have been fantastic in every game we've had."
It was Bruno’s freekick that dropped to Telles to hit from the edge of the area into the opposite corner and he explained how it came about.
"Alex was coming to me and he wanted me to do the overlap and if there was a chance, he would pass it to me in the box,” Bruno said.
“I tell him, 'No, just go to the edge of the box and I will ping the ball over there and you just kick it first time or if you have time, control it.' But after that, it's all the quality of Alex.
“Nothing to do with me. Okay the ball was good, the ball went straight to Alex but Alex made a really good strike and it was an unbelievable goal, honestly."
Fernandes was full of praise for the opposition on the night, adding: “It’s always difficult to play against Spanish teams. We know they play well, they are good on the ball. We know the coach was also here in England already.
“Their teams always play good football. In defence, really well organised. It’s always really tough to play against them, but I think we did a good job. Sometimes we have to be patient and not press all the time and I think we did the right job.
“The main thing was the three points and we got it.”
Meanwhile, it was also a special night for Bruno as he lead out the team as captain in the absence of Harry Maguire, something which the midfielder said he really relishes.
"It's a great feeling. As I said before, when I was captain for the first time against PSG, in the Champions League also, it means a lot.
“I think for every player who can have the armband and lead in some way the lads in the game, it's a proud moment for everyone. I'm part of this proud people."