Bruno Fernandes penalty verdict given after Real Sociedad vs Man Utd as UEFA told to change handball rule

Bruno Fernandes gave away a penalty for a handball during Manchester United’s 1-1 away draw against Real Sociedad on Thursday night.

Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie at the Reale Arena.

Ruben Amorim’s side dominated for much of the opening 70 minutes and were rewarded when Joshua Zirkzee put them ahead.

However, United were once again frustrated by a contentious VAR decision, as Bruno Fernandes was penalised for handball, leading to a Sociedad equaliser from the spot.

The Spanish side applied late pressure, but United held on to keep the tie level heading into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford.

Fernandes penalty verdict given

When a team is in poor form, they often hope for elements of luck in their games to help out but that seems impossible to come by for United at the moment.

Despite offering an extremely solid display, a VAR check for a Sociedad penalty came out of nowhere to burst United’s bubble.

The decision was one you expect to be given in European competition but still seems so unfair on the player.

Fernandes is jumping, and to do that, you use your arms. It is impossible to jump up and challenge for a header with your arms crossed behind your back.

Robbie Savage slammed the rule on TNT Sports after the penalty was given. “The rule is ridiculous,” he said. “On that angle there, the arm does stop him [Real Sociedad attacker] heading it because the arm is an unnatural position.

“It is harsh though because that is how you jump but the arm has stopped the player heading the ball so, by the letter of the law and the way the rule is, it is a penalty even though it is harsh.”

Read More: Rúben Amorim told he “missed a trick” by not using Manchester United’s star’s best attribute vs Real Sociedad

The ex-United academy player also claimed that UEFA and other football authorities need to re-evaluate the handball rule.

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