Key Takeaways:
- Bruno Fernandes cited referee Chris Kavanagh’s accidental contact as a factor in his penalty miss against Fulham in a 1:1 draw
- The incident occurred as Fernandes was preparing to take the decisive spot-kick
- This marked Fernandes’s first missed penalty since December 2023
Penalty Drama at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder and captain, Bruno Fernandes, attributed his missed penalty in the 1:1 draw with Fulham to an unexpected encounter with referee Chris Kavanagh. As Fernandes set himself for the spot-kick, Kavanagh inadvertently made light contact with him, causing the midfielder to become unsettled at a crucial moment.
Bruno Fernandes admitted he was frustrated with the referee after they accidentally bumped into each other just before he missed his penalty against Fulham. pic.twitter.com/hN2Rmh0LXb
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 24, 2025
Fernandes Reflects on the Critical Miss
Reflecting on the incident in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Fernandes revealed that he grew agitated following the referee’s actions. He explained that penalty takers adhere to specific preparation routines, and the lack of an apology from the official affected his composure. Despite this, Fernandes took full responsibility for the miss, admitting that a technical error in his strike sent the ball over the crossbar.
Recent Penalty Record
The unsuccessful attempt ended Fernandes’s run of converted penalties, marking his first failure from the spot since December 2023.
