The Sky Sports pundit has explained Bruno Fernandes’ astonishing blunder.
Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville explained why Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty against Fulham.
United will face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, looking to bounce back from their first Premier League setback to Arsenal.
After a tense half with chances for both sides, United were awarded a penalty after a VAR review of a clumsy foul by Fulham defender Calvin Bassey inside the box.
Bassey’s clash with Mason Mount provided an opportunity for United captain Fernandes to score his first goal of the season and put his team ahead in the game.
However, the Portuguese midfielder stunned supporters when he couldn’t keep the ball on goal, sending it high over the bar, and Neville believes he understands why.
Prior to the encounter against Fulham, Fernandes had 22 Premier League penalty goals, missing only four.
As a result, his refusal to even tackle Bernd Leno stunned everyone at Craven Cottage, even Neville, who claimed he was put off after colliding with referee Chris Kavanagh.
Neville stated on Sky Sports that “the referee giving him a slight nudge unnerved him a little bit.”
Prior to Sunday’s mistake, Fernandes had not missed a penalty in the Premier League since December 2023 against Chelsea.
Fans on social media, however, refused to accept Neville’s justification, with one writing: “Enjoying some more unbiased Gary Neville commentary on the Manchester United game yet again.”
“Blaming the referee for Bruno Fernandes missing his penalty just normal stuff.”
Fernandes’ last Premier League penalty miss was on December 6, 2023, against Chelsea at Old Trafford. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.) )
Someone more commented: “I can’t believe Gary Neville and sky are blaming the ref for Bruno Fernandes missing that penalty.”
Fortunately for Fernandes and United, they did not have to wait long before taking the lead in the game, when centre back Leny Yoro headed the ball into Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, resulting in an own goal.
However, they could not hold on for long, as Fulham replacement Emile Smith-Rowe equalised for the home side in the 73rd minute, only 93 seconds after entering the game.
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