Paul Scholes and Ian Wright accused Bruno Fernandes of ‘looking for a penalty’ during Manchester United’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
In the first half, with the game goalless, Fernandes appealed for a penalty when he had the chance to knock the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and put the ball into an empty net.
Instead, he proceeded to initiate contact with the Arsenal goalkeeper, went down, the on-field referee waved play on and he wasted a very good opportunity.
Unless you are a Manchester United fan, someone like Fernandes isn’t exactly a fan favourite for neutral supporters.
The £68 million star (Sky Sports) is someone who can easily wind opposition fans up with his antics, and in truth, yesterday’s actions weren’t any different.
Scholes was unhappy with the midfielder because he thought Fernandes preferred to go to ground, rather than stay on his feet, as he told Premier League Productions (22/01/23 at 5:30 pm).
“He does get there first,” said Scholes. “I don’t think Ramsdale makes a movement towards Fernandes. I am disappointed he just didn’t take the ball and score. I think it’s a quite simple touch to the left-hand side and a little tap with his left foot.
“But as we know footballers these days, they would rather go down, than stay on their feet.”
Wright added: “That’s one of those, the angle in which the ball is coming in. He could have easily stopped it almost and put it in. We know Gabriel was getting back there.
“He could touch that with his right foot. He has gone with the outside of his foot, so there is no way he is going to go and get that ball if that’s his intention.”
Scholes added: “He’s looking for it, isn’t he?!”
Wright responded: “He has had no intention of doing anything but touching and going down.”
NO DRAMAS BUT PURE ENTERTAINMENT
Usually, there is controversy that overshadows these so-called bigger games, with VAR taking its fair share of hits.
But not this time around.
This was an old classic. It was like having Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira back on the pitch. Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger back on the touchline.
The old days were rolled back by both teams yesterday, as they traded blows in one of the games of the season, with Arsenal securing the deserved three points.
Source: hitc.com
