Manchester United were awarded a contentious penalty against Fulham and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now given his verdict.
Bruno Fernandes missed from the penalty spot against Fulham and it ended up being costly for Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure as United drew 1-1 against Fulham, meaning the Red Devils have only taken one point from their opening two fixtures in 2025/26.
It was Leny Yoro who scored United’s first goal of the season after his header was deflected in, but Fernandes missed a golden opportunity after Calvin Bassey fouled Mason Mount in the box.
Chris Kavanagh was the referee against Fulham and his on-field decision was overturned by VAR to award United a penalty.
Bruno Fernandes looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg says Man United penalty was deserved
Last week, Mark Clattenburg argued that United were “failed” by the PGMOL as Arsenal’s goal should have been ruled out by VAR.
Mark Clattenburg pointed out that referees were informed to clamp down on grappling and holding in the box, and that is why he believes United deserved a penalty against Fulham.
Speaking exclusively to United in Focus, Clattenburg said: “Before the season started, PGMOL, the head of referees in England stated that they will be strong on holding in the penalty area.
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“Players have been warned but Calvin Bassey must not have read the memo as he wraps both arms around him and pulled Mason Mount to the floor to give the match officials a decision to make and award a penalty.
“I agree with the awarding of the penalty as long as they will be consistent each week.
“Some will argue that Luke Shaw was pulling Rodrigo Muniz just behind Mount and Bassey and why was a free kick not awarded instead. The first offence was the Mount and Bassey challenge so what happens after is immaterial.”
Fernandes missed the resulting spot-kick and after the full-time whistle he said he was “upset” at Kavanagh for bumping into him as he prepared to shoot.
On that incident, Clattenburg added: “Bruno Fernandes was complaining about referee Chris Kavanagh bumping into him while setting up the penalty. It could have been avoided by Kavanagh if he allowed some space to players, especially in crucial moments.”
Bruno Fernandes frustrated by Man United penalty incident
Fernandes had a game to forget against Fulham, missing the penalty and struggling to control the game from midfield.
He told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle, “I was upset. As a penalty-taker, you have your own routines, your own things that you do.
“It upset me because the referee didn’t apologise. That is what triggered me in that moment but that’s not the excuse for missing the penalty.”
Former United captain Ashley Young agreed that the incident played on Fernandes’ mind during the penalty.
“I think the referee has put him off…” he said to Sky Sports at half-time.
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However, Ruben Amorim had a different view: “I think he’s not used to missing a penalty. He knows that every moment in this context can have a huge impact on the team.
“I felt that during the game he was not so happy, not so involved, because he had so much responsibility and he felt the missed penalty was huge for us.”