Bruno Fernandes has revealed why he became triggered following an incident between him and the referee during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Manchester United collected their first Premier League points of the season after drawing 1-1 with Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors were put under pressure early, as Matheus Cunha struck the post and forced a series of saves in the opening exchanges, while Fulham also carved out dangerous moments of their own.
United then had a chance to take control when Mason Mount was fouled in the build-up to a corner, but Bruno Fernandes fired the resulting penalty over the bar.
Just after the break, Rúben Amorim introduced Benjamin Šeško and Diogo Dalot, and soon after a deflected header from Leny Yoro gave United the lead. Fulham responded strongly, though, and Emile Smith-Rowe levelled with 20 minutes remaining.
The home side finished the brighter and threatened through Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo, but the contest ended all square in West London.
Fernandes triggered by referee incident vs Fulham
Before Fernandes launched his first-half penalty over the bar, there was a moment where he and the referee bumped into each other during his penalty preparations, with United’s captain looking visibly upset.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the result, he was asked about the moment and whether he was upset by the referee’s distraction, and he explained that the reason he became upset was that the referee didn’t apologise after interrupting him.
However, the United midfielder also admitted that there was no excuse for him hitting the penalty as waywardly as he did.
“Yeah, I was upset,” Fernandes explained. “Obviously, as every penalty taker, you have your own routines, you have your own things that you do.
“It upset me because the referee didn’t apologise, and that was what would trigger me in the moment, but that’s not the excuse to missing the penalty.
“I just had a bad hit on the ball. I took my foot too under the ball, and that’s why the ball ended up going over the bar.”
Fernandes in danger of being dropped
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Fernandes’ future at United after the player was subject to significant interest from Saudi Arabia, with United potentially seeing upward of £100 million if the Portuguese international were to accept a move.
However, Fernandes turned down all the mega contract offers he received, explaining that he felt he had unfinished business at Old Trafford. But, following two sub-par performances in red against Arsenal and Fulham, he could be dropped.
United’s next fixture is an away trip to face Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round. With Amorim admitting that Kobbie Mainoo is competing with Fernandes for the midfield position, the captain should be dropped in favour of Mainoo starting.
Mainoo has not had a chance to play a single competitive minute so far this season, with Manuel Ugarte being deployed over him off the bench on both occasions. Amorim must give him a run-out and a chance to shine in Fernandes’ spot.
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