Bruno Fernandes' two-word demand to refs' boss Jon Moss after Man Utd loss

20 August 2023 , 00:00

809     0

Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United were denied a clear penalty against Tottenham (Image: MUTV)

Bruno Fernandes has furiously demanded an apology from referee chief Jon Moss after Manchester United were denied a penalty in Saturday's 2-0 reverse against Tottenham.

After a goalless first-half, Erik ten Hag's side succumbed to defeat in the capital courtesy of a Pape Matar Sarr strike and an own goal from Lisandro Martinez. However, a controversial moment before the interval has not gone down well with the Red Devils.

Referee Michael Oliver was unmoved by penalty appeals after an Alejandro Garnacho effort appeared to strike the forearm of Cristian Romero in the penalty area midway through the first-half.

And after VAR also failed to intervene, Fernandes pulled no punches with his assessment after the match, referencing the controversy over a penalty claim involving Andre Onana in Monday's win over Wolves; an incident which led to Moss issuing an apology to Wolves boss Gary O'Neil.

When he was asked why he thought Oliver failed to award a penalty, Fernandes told Stadium Astro: “You have to ask him. They have to start making interviews after the games so that they can explain themselves. It was a clear penalty, no excuses for not seeing, no excuses for the VAR to not see that.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

“Last week they made a big thing on United not having a penalty against [them]. I want to see what is going to happen this week if it is going to happen the same show they did last week. I want to see if Jon Moss also comes to apologise to our dressing room like they did to the manager of Wolves. I hope he can come.”

Fernandes sentiments were echoed by Ten Hag, who was left bemused by the fact that VAR failed to intervene after Oliver decided that no action was necessary.

Join the debate! Do you think Man Utd should have had a penalty against Spurs? Let us know here.

Alejandro Garnacho's goal-bound strike appeared to strike Cristiano Romero's forearm (Martin Dalton/REX/Shutterstock)

The Dutchman told Sky Sports after the match: “We deserved a penalty, I don’t know why [it wasn’t given]. It’s a penalty. Absolutely a penalty. It changes the direction of the ball and he’s blocking, the hand is right above [him].”

Fernandes spurned a golden chance for Manchester United shortly after their penalty shout whilst the woodwork also denied them after the break.

And Ten Hag admitted that United only had themselves to blame for not taking their chances when they were on top. He added: “We created the chances, the first half was completely ours and then you have to score. We created the chances but we didn't put them in the net.”

Dan Marsh