Bruno Fernandes took the penalty and equalised for Manchester United after Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix brought Matheus Cunha down inside the area, before the Red Devils went on to win 2-1
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has revealed what referee Chris Kavanagh told him during the wait for a penalty(Image: PA)
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed what referee Chris Kavanagh informed him about Maxence Lacroix's foul on Matheus Cunha for their penalty, whilst VAR worked to establish whether the offence also warranted a red card.
Michael Carrick's men fought back from behind to beat Crystal Palace after Lacroix had handed Oliver Glasner's side an early advantage just four minutes in. United were then thrown a lifeline in the second half when the French defender pulled Cunha inside the box, prompting Kavanagh to consult the VAR monitor.
"After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious goalscoring opportunity," Kavanagh announced. "Final decision is penalty and red card."
Talking to Sky Sports after the match, Fernandes said: "The referee told me straight away that it was a penalty but he was trying to determine if it was a red card. We know that when it is a push or pull and no intention to go for the ball, it is a red card."
The Portuguese star stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick with authority, leaving former Red Dean Henderson with absolutely no chance. "I worked with him, I was with him when he had the spell at Forest," Fernandes said.
Bruno Fernandes and Dean Henderson
Bruno Fernandes scored past Dean Henderson to equalise for Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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"He even told me at the end that he wanted to go to the same side as he did last week and save it. Lucky for me, he went to the other side."
Fernandes then switched to playmaker, teeing up Benjamin Sesko to complete the turnaround and secure a vital three points in United's pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The victory lifted them to third place, level on points with Aston Villa but superior on goal difference to Unai Emery's side, with the added bonus of no European commitments between now and the season's conclusion.
Villa's shock loss to Wolves on Friday evening handed Carrick's side a golden chance to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot, and they duly delivered.
"There are a lot of games to go still and it is important that we don't feel that we are in the position that we need to be," Fernandes added. "We need to make as many points as we can."
United return to action on Wednesday evening when they make the trip to St. James' Park to face Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.