Bruno Fernandes spurned the chance to put Manchester United in the lead from the penalty spot in the first half as he skied his effort over the bar - having been bumped into by referee Chris Kavanagh
Bruno Fernandes and Chris Kavanagh
Gary Neville has claimed Bruno Fernandes was put off by referee Chris Kavanagh bumping into him before his penalty against Fulham
Gary Neville has claimed Bruno Fernandes blazed his penalty over for Manchester United against Fulham after referee Chris Kavanagh bumped into the midfielder before taking the kick.
United were given the perfect chance to break the deadlock in the first half after being awarded a penalty following a VAR review, with Calvin Bassey adjudged to have thrown Mason Mount to the ground in the box.
Fernandes stepped up to take the spot kick, but as he was gradually walking backwards to prepare for his run-up, Kavanagh accidentally bumped into him as he tried to get out of the way.
A replay of the clip shows Kavanagh appear to apologise, but Fernandes clearly looks furious and gesticulates with his hands to complain for interrupting him.
Fernandes then skiied his effort over the bar, an unusual moment for the Portuguese playmaker, who has become renowned for his nearly-immaculate penalty taking.
And Neville claimed Fernandes was thrown off by the mix-up with Kavanagh, saying the playmaker felt the actions from the referee were "clumsy".
"He picked the ball up, then he bundles into referee a bit," the former Manchester United star told Sky Sports. "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."
Bruno Fernandes misses his penalty for United
Fernandes skiied his spot kick over the bar as he spurned the chance to give Manchester United the lead
Ex-United star Ashley Young backed up Neville's claims in the studio as the former defender said: "I think the referee [Chris Kavanagh] has put him [Fernandes] off."
Fans had their say on the incident on social media afterwards, with some saying the moment shouldn't have been significant enough to distract a professional football like Fernandes.
One said: "If Bruno Fernandes had concentrated on taking the penalty rather than whining because the referee brushed against him? He might have scored."
Another added: "If Bruno Fernandes is capable of being put off by something as minor as a referee accidentally bumping into him, he needs to sort himself out. Far too tempestuous when even the slightest and inconsequential thing doesn’t go his way."
Even one United fan refused to blame Kavanagh, writing: "From when he bumped into ref and started complaining I knew he night miss I’m tired."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.