Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was left fuming after colliding with referee Chris Kavanagh moments before missing a crucial penalty against Fulham.
United were awarded a spot-kick just after the half-hour mark when Calvin Bassey hauled down Mason Mount during a corner.
Following a lengthy delay and VAR check that lasted nearly five minutes, Kavanagh pointed to the spot and confirmed the decision to the crowd.
As Fernandes prepared to take the penalty, the official appeared to bump into the Portuguese midfielder while leaving the box, sparking visible frustration.
The United skipper threw his arms in the air and angrily confronted the referee.
But Fernandes could not keep his composure, blasting the penalty high over the bar and leaving the scoreline goalless.
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Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: ‘The referee gives him a little bit of a bump by accident, unnerving him maybe.
‘Fernandes then has a go at the referee for being a bit clumsy. Maybe that’s what put him off?’
However, fans took to social media to slam Fernandes, claiming he should have done better despite the distraction.
One posted on X: ‘Completely pathetic from Bruno Fernandes. Was he actually trying to get the referee to book himself for accidentally bumping into him? Crying like a little baby before skying his peno. Generation of absolute soft lads ruining football’.
Another wrote: ‘If Bruno fernandes had concentrated on taking the penalty rather than whining because the referee brushed against him? He might have scored. Petulant child. Pathetic!’
A third added: ‘Gary Neville can’t blame the referee for Bruno Fernandes taking a penalty with a 9 iron.’
Fernandes and Kavanagh have clashed before, with the referee controversially sending him off against Tottenham last season – a red card that was later overturned.
United eventually took the lead against Fulham shortly before the hour mark through a Rodrigo Muniz own-goal – but Emile Smith Rowe ensured the spoils were shared.
