This weekend may have been unusually quiet for Portuguese goalscorers abroad, but there were still some pleasing stories of Luso players finding the net at new clubs.
Injury-hit full-back Aurélio Buta has been forced to wait until the second half of the season to make his debut for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, but celebrated his first match in style with a goal in their win over Schalke. Meanwhile in England, João Ferreira was handed a first start for new club Watford and responded by scoring an excellent goal in the Championship.
“I didn’t know he was given the Man of the Match, but he was definitely my Man of the Match,” said Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag when discussing Bruno Fernandes’ performance in the recent Manchester derby. The Dutchman does not offer individual praise easily, but his eulogising of the Portuguese has become a common occurrence.
There is little doubt over the most discussed Portuguese goal of the weekend. Bruno Fernandes’ controversial equaliser in Manchester United’s derby win over Manchester City rumbles on as the major talking point in English football.
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
José Mourinho diverted his post-match interview following Roma’s victory in the Coppa Italia on Thursday to discuss his place in the running for the recently-filled Portugal vacancy.