Premier League legend Michael Owen highlighted a crucial decision that contributed to a goal in Manchester United’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, which involved a specific player from United.
Manchester United’s 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Monday night was a match that instantly became a contender for one of the games of the season as soon as the final whistle was blown. A dominant first-half display from Ruben Amorim’s men saw them go into the break 2-1 up, only conceding against the run of play.
Amad and Casemiro scored both goals in the first period, and both players will be missing United’s next game against Aston Villa. Amad will be travelling to AFCON, and Casemiro has picked up a suspension by accumulating five individual cautions in the Premier League this season.
The second half saw Bournemouth fly out of the gates, scoring two goals within seven minutes of the restart. However, a fine free-kick from United’s captain and a clever Matheus Cunha finish once again swayed momentum in the Red Devils’ favour, who went into the final 10 minutes leading 4-3.
An 84th-minute equaliser from Eli Junior Kroupi dealt Amorim and the whole of Old Trafford a devastating blow as the game ended 4-4 in an eight-goal thriller. But according to Ballon D’Or winner Michael Owen, a certain United player’s unsporting tactics could be the reason why Bournemouth failed to pick up all three points.
Owen identifies one key issue with Fernandes’ ‘fabulous’ free-kick
Michael Owen heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes for his technique for the free-kick that levelled the game at 3-3, but the former England international picked up on the controversial decision that led to the set-piece being awarded.
He told the Metro, “The pace, dip, everything, it was a fabulous free-kick – but it should never have been one.
The free-kick was awarded after Adam Smith was struck on his arm, and the Cherries were still punished, conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position with Fernandes standing over the top of the ball.
“It was a foot away from him, even if it hits him down low, when you kick it into someone when you’re only a yard away, then it’s very harsh,” Owen continued. “His arms weren’t flailing and it was too high anyway. It was a really poor decision.”
Owen went on further to vent his frustration at the United captain, highlighting the midfielder’s usual behaviour towards the referee as something that contributed towards the decision going his way.
“Little things make so much difference. People don’t want to see people exaggerating a fall or claiming a free-kick when it isn’t… if Bruno Fernandes doesn’t really go mad when that ball hits, he never gets it.”
Does Bruno’s behaviour help or hinder his game?
Owen labelled Fernandes’ reaction to the handball as ‘streetwise’, and this behaviour is not uncommon in the slightest to United fans. Bruno’s somewhat petulant behaviour acts as a blessing and a curse to the Portuguese international.
In a few cases, such as the free-kick decision mentioned, the exaggerated behaviour seems to persuade officials and award set-pieces across the pitch, which United have been so clinical from this season, especially.
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However, where fans and pundits get frustrated is when this behaviour seems to take over the mentality of United’s captain. A good example of this is from the start of the season, where the referee bumped into Fernandes, which he seemed to make a meal of, and then proceeded to blast the ball over the bar from the penalty spot.
Overall, if Fernandes can implement more ‘streetwise’ tactics into his game whilst also cutting out the moaning to officials throughout games where he is not performing to an acceptable standard, this would beneift both him as a person and his popularity amongst United fans.
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