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Man United Legends Blame Referee For Bruno Fernandes Penalty Miss Vs Fulham

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 2:29 PM ET

Manchester United played Fulham at Craven Cottage in their second game of the new Premier League season. Man United were desperate to get three points after an impressive performance against Arsenal last weekend, but they lost 1-0 at home.

In the first half, Man United had the better chances in the game to take the lead, and they were close to leading 1-0 at halftime as the Red Devils were awarded a penalty.

VAR took a look at a play involving Fulham's Calvin Bassey bringing down Manchester United's Mason Mount in the box. The referee, Chris Kavanagh, awarded a penalty for Man United, but an awkward interaction between the official and Bruno Fernandes took place.

As the Portuguese midfielder was preparing to take the penalty, Fernandes accidentally bumped into Kavanagh. Fernandes was frustrated with the referee, and what came next shocked many.

Fernandes skied the ball over the bar and missed the penalty that could've given Man United the lead at halftime. The penalty miss occurred in the 38th minute.

CRAZY SEQUENCE AT CRAVEN COTTAGE.

After a lengthy VAR review, Man United are awarded a penalty—but Bruno Fernandes blazes it over and it remains 0-0. pic.twitter.com/o9GK2vjSyd
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2025

Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Ashley Young were on Sky Sports and reminded the audience about the small interaction between Fernandes and Kavanagh moments before the penalty was taken.

Bruno Fernandes looked unsettled after accidentally bumping into the referee while backing up to take his penalty vs. Fulham.

He even picked the ball up and placed it down again but then blasted his shot over the bar. pic.twitter.com/jwyQHgetNU
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 24, 2025

Neville and Young on Referee and Fernandes' Penalty Miss

At halftime, Ashley Young couldn't help but think that the referee's accident before Fernandes stepped up for the penalty had something to do with the miss.

Fernandes is the Manchester United penalty taker and often scores from the spot. This is Fernandes' fifth penalty miss at Manchester United since his arrival in 2020.

Ashley Young: "I think the referee [Chris Kavanagh] has put him [Fernandes] off.”

He wasn't the only Manchester United legend who had an opinion in regards to the referee interrupting Fernandes. Gary Neville gave his take on the incident, which he acknowledged was an accident.

Gary Neville: "He picked the ball up, then he bundles into the referee a bit. He gave him a bit of a bump by accident, and he goes back. It just unnerved him a little bit.I thought it was because the referee was adjusting the players on the edge of the box, but he's still having a go, Bruno Fernandes, at the referee, because he feels that was a little bit clumsy."

It didn't stop Manchester United from taking the lead in the game, as in the 58th minute, a Leny Yoro header led to an own goal from Rodrigo Muniz. The goal arrived from a corner kick.

In the 73rd minute, the equalizer arrived as a great pass from Alex Iwobi led to Emile Smith Rowe scoring near post. The English midfielder scored with his first touch in the game after coming on two minutes before the goal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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