Bruno Fernandes has revealed that his instinctive free-kick to tee up a goal for Anthony Martial against rivals Manchester City was entirely unplanned.
A sublime free-kick assist for Martial in United's impressive 2-0 victory over rivals City last month was a notable moment in an already extensive highlight reel.
The 25-year-old fooled the City back-line, cheekily chipping over Sergio Aguero for Martial to fire home from a tight angle and give United the lead.
Fernandes - speaking in a Q&A on United's official website - has now offered some insight into how the goal was constructed.
Asked who planned the routine, he replied: “It was not a plan. Everyone knows against Everton we did the same. Against Watford, if I'm not mistaken, we did the same.
"It was one of those things: when you are in the pitch, you know your team-mates when you look at them. It's like a pass. You look at him, and you feel something. You feel, [and] it goes."
Fernandes and team-mate Fred were in discussion as to who should take the free-kick when the Portuguese spotted Martial's gaze. He was careful not to give away the plan.
"I started talking, and I already saw Anthony look at me," he said. "He looks at me, I look at him, I feel he wants the same as me. So you go off feelings, you know?
In Pictures | Man Utd vs Man City | 08/03/2020
"I talked with Fred, and I talked like: 'Okay, Fred, you go.’ So if someone of Manchester City listens [they think] I've told Fred to go and they can relax.
"I started to look at the edge [of the area] and [motioned] 'Go second post, go second post. In the moment that the referee whistled, I feel Anto [Martial] is just ready and think: 'I go now.’
"I had the right time; it was a perfect ball, it was a perfect finish. It was everything in the right time, you know?"
Fernandes' contributions have played a crucial role in United's resurgence.
Prior to the Covid-19 crisis suspending football in England indefinitely, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were on an 11-game unbeaten streak.