“I Will Not Cheat My Teammate”: Bruno Fernandes Hands MOTM Award to United’s Unsung Hero
Old Trafford, February 7, 2026 — In a season already defined by the “Carrick Revolution,” Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has provided the definitive moment of leadership. Following United’s clinical 2-0 victory over Tottenham, Fernandes was officially named the TNT Sports Player of the Match. However, in a stunning post-match interview, the captain refused to keep the trophy.
In a move that has quickly gone viral, Fernandes handed the award directly to a teammate, delivering a powerful statement on the standards now expected at the club.
“He is the One Who Deserves It”
Standing beside the recipient during the post-match broadcast, Fernandes was blunt about why he couldn’t accept the individual honors despite scoring the goal that sealed the three points.
> “I have returned the Man of the Match award to him. He’s the one that truly deserves it and not me,” Fernandes told reporters. “As the captain of this team, there’s no way I will cheat my teammate. I scored the goal, but he controlled the entire game. He was perfect today.”
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The 10/10 Recipient: Kobbie Mainoo
The player in question is 20-year-old midfield sensation Kobbie Mainoo. While Fernandes grabbed the headlines with his 81st-minute strike—his 200th goal involvement for the club—Mainoo’s performance was statistically flawless.
Across several live rating platforms, Mainoo was awarded a 10/10 rating, a rarity in a high-stakes Premier League clash. The academy graduate dictated play with a composure that drew immediate comparisons to United greats of the past.
Mainoo’s Masterclass by the Numbers:
* Pass Accuracy: 98% (64/65 passes completed)
* Chances Created: 4
* Interceptions: 5
* Dribbles Completed: 100% (3/3)
* Key Contribution: Provided the intricate pre-assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal.
A Captain’s Culture Shift
This isn’t the first time Fernandes has used the MOTM award to highlight a teammate’s contribution—having famously done so for Jonny Evans in the past—but the timing feels different. Under interim boss Michael Carrick, United has moved into the top four, and the atmosphere at Old Trafford has shifted from individual brilliance to collective grit.
By handing the award to Mainoo, Fernandes sent a clear message: Goals aren’t the only thing that matters.
Reaction from the Dressing Room
The gesture has resonated deeply within the squad. Sources close to the locker room suggest that Carrick’s management style, which emphasizes “the team over the ego,” was perfectly encapsulated by Fernandes’ actions today.
Michael Carrick on the gesture:
> “That’s why he wears the armband. Bruno knows that without Kobbie’s work in the middle, we don’t have the platform to win that game. It shows the togetherness we have right now.”
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The “Carrick Era” Momentum
With four wins from four games, United has leaped to 4th in the Premier League table. The victory over a 10-man Spurs side (following Cristian Romero’s early red card) proves that the Red Devils are no longer just surviving big games—they are dominating them.
| Match Impact | Bruno Fernandes | Kobbie Mainoo |
|—|—|—|
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Match Rating | 8.8/10 | 10/10 |
| Final Result | Winner | Engine Room |
As United prepares for their next fixture, the narrative has shifted from “Can they win?” to “How good can this team actually become?”
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