Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has revealed the unusual reason behind his missed penalty in Sunday’s draw with Fulham, admitting that a brief collision with the referee moments before his run-up unsettled his concentration.
Known for his near-flawless record from the spot, Fernandes stunned fans when his effort was saved – a costly moment as United dropped key points. Speaking afterwards, the Portuguese playmaker insisted it wasn’t nerves but the referee’s accidental bump that disrupted his preparation.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses, but I need to be honest,” Fernandes explained. “Just before the penalty, the referee ran into me, and it completely threw me off. People may think it’s nothing, but when you’re focused on such a big moment, even a small distraction can break your rhythm. I tried to compose myself, but it affected me.”
The midfielder, usually clinical from 12 yards, admitted the miss was even harder to take given the match situation. “I knew exactly where I wanted to put the ball, but after that bump everything felt rushed. I should have reset myself, and I didn’t. It ended up costing us,” he said.
Fans have been split by the admission – some criticising Fernandes for not handling the situation better, while others sympathised, pointing out how minor details can derail a penalty-taker’s routine. The incident has even sparked debate over whether referees should take more care to avoid such accidental interference in high-pressure scenarios.
For Fernandes, the challenge now is to quickly move past the rare setback. But his candid explanation has opened up fresh discussion about just how fragile focus can be in football’s biggest moments
