Bruno Fernandes addresses Man Utd controversy after private chat with referee | Football | Sport
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has revealed what referee Chris Kavanagh said to him about Maxence Lacroix’s challenge on Matheus Cunha that led to a penalty in the victory over Crystal Palace. VAR officials were assessing whether the incident warranted a red card, and eventually stepped in to recommend Kavanagh consult the pitchside monitor. It led to the Palace defender being sent off just before the hour mark.
Michael Carrick’s team fought back after Lacroix had put Oliver Glasner’s men ahead after only four minutes. Nevertheless, United were thrown a lifeline when the French centre-back hauled down Cunha inside the box, prompting Kavanagh to consult the VAR screen. “After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious goal scoring opportunity,” Kavanagh announced to the crowd. “Final decision is penalty and red card.”
Speaking to Sky Sports following the match, Fernandes said: “The referee told me straight away that it was a penalty but he was trying to determine if it was a red card. We know that when it is a push or pull and no intention to go for the ball, it is a red card.
The Portuguese midfielder stepped up to dispatch the penalty emphatically, leaving former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson with no chance. “I worked with him, I was with him when he had the spell at Forest,” Fernandes said.
“He even told me at the end that he wanted to go to the same side as he did last week and save it. Lucky for me, he went to the other side.”
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Fernandes subsequently set up Benjamin Sesko to seal the comeback. The Slovenian header the winner in to secure three vital points for United in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The result lifted them to third place, matching Aston Villa’s points tally whilst edging ahead of Unai Emery’s outfit due to a superior goal difference. United have the added benefit of no European football distracting them in midweeks between now and the end of the campaign.
Villa’s unexpected loss to Wolves on Friday evening presented Carrick’s squad with a golden chance to strengthen their top-four standing, which they duly seized.
“There are a lot of games to go still and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be,” Fernandes added. “We need to make as many points as we can.”
United return to action on Wednesday evening with a trip to St. James’ Park to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
