Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been told he was "naughty" in protesting a free-kick decision during his side's 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Monday night.
Bruno Fernandes reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth
Bruno Fernandes has been branded as "naughty" for a moment during Manchester United vs Bournemouth
View Image
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes that club captain Bruno Fernandes was "naughty" in the way he protested a handball call during the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
In a chaotic game, Ruben Amorim's side were handed one decision that left many torn, as a foul was given against Adam Smith for the ball striking his arm at close range.
Fernandes scored the subsequent free-kick, drawing the home side level at the time to make it 3-3, though a further goal apiece would ensure both teams took a point away with them.
Some felt the handball decision leading to the goal was controversial, while Owen claimed that the United captain may have helped persuade the referee with his protesting on the pitch.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former United striker said: "The pace, dip, everything, it was a fabulous free-kick – but it should never have been one.
"It was a foot away from him [Smith], even if it hits him down low, when you kick it into someone when you’re only a yard away, then it’s very harsh, his arms weren’t flailing, and it was too high anyway. It was a really poor decision.
"Little things make so much difference. People don’t want to see people exaggerating a fall or claiming a free-kick when it isn’t… if Bruno Fernandes doesn’t really go mad when that ball hits, he never gets it.
"The referee thinks, ‘Oh, I didn’t see it properly, I’ll give it’, because of the reaction of the player, it’s a human reaction. These little things make a massive difference.
"If Bruno doesn’t do that, if he’s not living on the edge and being a little bit naughty, then they don’t get that [free-kick] and they don’t score that goal. These little, I was going to say dark arts but it’s a bit strong… he was streetwise, let’s say, in winning that free-kick."
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola certainly took umbrage with the foul that was given to his side, telling BBC Sport after the match: "I think it's a clear mistake. Above the armband. It's not a foul."
In the end, the free-kick was one of several moments in the game that caught the eye in an eight-goal thriller that either side could've won.
United's formation change appeared to work wonders during the first half, but the second-half collapse quickly after the break left the home side in an awkward position.
A quick fightback saw them take the lead again, only to concede late and leave with only one point to show for their efforts in the fight for European qualification.
“It was a fun game for everyone at home," Amorim said when speaking to the press after the match. "If you look at the game, you can think that we lost the two points in the second half. I think we lost the two points in the first half. We should have more goals.
“We should be a different result at half-time. Similar to Nottingham Forest, we suffer two goals really fast, but we managed to get back to take the advantage again.
"And then we need to close the game. Again, it was a fun game to watch. Of course, there is a feeling of scoring four goals and not winning the game.”
Now attention quickly turns towards the clash with Aston Villa in the coming week, which is a tough match in what could be an important outcome for the top four race.