Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has unleashed a furious tirade against match officials following his side's dramatic and controversial 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford, branding the performance "embarrassing" and questioning the integrity of the decision-making process.
Last-Gasp Heartbreak Sparks Fury
The Red Devils appeared to have salvaged a point through Harry Maguire's 89th-minute equaliser, only to be sucker-punched by a 97th-minute winner from Fulham's Alex Iwobi. However, the major talking point emerged from a first-half incident that left United's skipper fuming.
Fernandes was convinced his side should have been awarded a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Fulham's Sasa Lukic. Referee Chris Kavanagh waved play on, and remarkably, VAR official Stuart Attwell did not intervene to recommend an on-pitch review.
Fernandes' Explosive Post-Match Verdict
"The referee's performance was embarrassing, truly embarrassing," a seething Fernandes told reporters after the final whistle. "Everyone in the stadium saw it was a clear penalty. I don't understand why VAR didn't send him to the monitor. What is the point of having the technology if they don't use it for decisions that clear?"
The Portuguese midfielder's frustration was palpable as he continued: "We talk about respect for referees, but we need respect from them too. These decisions cost teams points. They cost people their jobs. It's not good enough."
Amorim's Pragmatic Approach Contrasts United's Despair
While United were left to rue what might have been, Fulham manager Marco Silva praised his team's resilience and tactical discipline. The victory marks a significant triumph for the Cottagers, who executed their game plan to perfection and capitalised on United's defensive vulnerabilities in the dying moments.
The result deals a crushing blow to Manchester United's already slim hopes of securing a top-four finish, leaving them eight points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa with only twelve games remaining. The pressure continues to mount on manager Erik ten Hag, whose side has now suffered 10 Premier League defeats this season.
As the fallout continues, all eyes will be on the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to see if they respond to Fernandes' stinging criticism and whether any action will be taken against the officials involved in another weekend of Premier League controversy.
