Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville has weighed in with his theory on why Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes missed a golden opportunity from the penalty spot against Fulham.
United went into the clash at Craven Cottage looking to bounce back from their opening Premier League defeat to Arsenal, and a VAR check handed them the perfect chance to take control.
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Fulham defender Calvin Bassey was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Mason Mount inside the area, leaving Fernandes — usually one of the league’s most dependable penalty-takers — with the responsibility.
Having scored 22 penalties in the Premier League and missed only four before this match, Fernandes was widely expected to find the net.
Instead, he sent the ball soaring over Bernd Leno’s crossbar, shocking both the travelling United fans and the Fulham faithful inside the stadium.
Neville, however, believes the miss may not have been down to technique alone.
He pointed out that Fernandes had an unusual moment just before the kick, accidentally colliding with referee Chris Kavanagh.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville claimed:
“The referee giving him a slight nudge unnerved him a little bit.”
Prior to the miss on Sunday, the last time that Fernandes had failed to score a penalty given to him in the Premier League was during the match against Chelsea in December 2023.
But fans on social media were not willing to accept Neville’s excuse, 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.”
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
