Bruno Fernandes Praises Teammate's Mentality After Man Utd’s Comeback Win

Bruno Fernandes was quick to shine a light on one Manchester United player’s mindset after Michael Carrick’s side produced another impressive comeback to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford, a result that underlined both United’s growing belief and the value of strong mentality within the squad.

United were forced to work hard for the three points on Sunday afternoon, extending their fine Premier League run under Carrick. Goals from Fernandes and Benjamin Šeško completed a turnaround that lifted United up to third in the table and kept them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place.

The game did not begin as Carrick would have wanted. Crystal Palace started with confidence and intensity, looking like a side determined to spoil United’s momentum. Their early pressure paid off when Maxence Lacroix rose highest from a corner to power a header past the goalkeeper, giving the visitors a deserved lead and momentarily silencing the home crowd.

United’s problems deepened soon after when Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury. His withdrawal disrupted the back line and required Noussair Mazraoui to shift across to left-back, adding another layer of difficulty to an already testing afternoon.

Despite those setbacks, there were encouraging signs before half-time. United gradually settled, moved the ball with more purpose and began to push Palace back. While clear chances were limited, the sense grew that Carrick’s side were building towards something, rather than panicking or losing shape.

That feeling proved crucial after the break. United emerged with renewed urgency and a clear intent to play on the front foot. The turning point arrived when Lacroix brought down Matheus Cunha inside the penalty area. The referee had little choice but to point to the spot and show the Palace defender a red card, changing the course of the contest.

Fernandes stepped up with calm authority. The United captain has made a habit of delivering in high-pressure moments, and this was no exception. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score and ignite the atmosphere inside Old Trafford.

With a numerical advantage and momentum firmly on their side, United went in search of a winner rather than settling for a point. That ambition was rewarded when Fernandes produced a moment of quality to find Šeško in space. The Slovenian striker kept his composure and finished clinically, capping another influential performance and continuing his strong scoring form in 2026.

After the final whistle, Fernandes was keen to highlight not just Šeško’s ability, but his mentality. Speaking about the young forward, the captain explained how hunger and attitude have played a huge role in his recent impact. Fernandes stressed that Šeško is never satisfied with simply scoring once and is constantly pushing himself to improve, a trait that United value highly as they look to build a winning culture.

That praise feels particularly significant given Šeško’s journey this season. Under former boss Rúben Amorim, the striker was heavily involved, playing every minute in the Portuguese coach’s final three matches. However, since Carrick took over, Šeško has often been used as an impact substitute rather than an automatic starter.

Rather than letting that affect his confidence, the 22-year-old has responded in the best possible way. He scored crucial late winners against Fulham and Everton and also grabbed a vital goal against West Ham to rescue a draw. Each time, he showed sharp movement, composure in front of goal and, perhaps most importantly, the mental strength to make a difference when it mattered.

His start against Palace was his first under Carrick, and he repaid that trust with the decisive goal before being withdrawn in the 75th minute. The careful management of his minutes appears to be paying off, allowing him to stay fresh while learning how to handle the pressure that comes with leading the line at Old Trafford.

There are understandable concerns among supporters about relying too heavily on a young striker, especially given the past struggles experienced by Rasmus Højlund when asked to carry the responsibility week after week. Carrick seems aware of that risk and has taken a measured approach with Šeško, easing him into a more prominent role rather than overloading him too soon.