Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not happy with the way Aston Villa players crowded Bruno Fernandes before the midfielder missed a late penalty.
Villa took home the three points from the Premier League clash at Old Trafford through an 88th-minute header from Kortney Hause.
United had the chance to take a point from the game minutes later when they were awarded the penalty in stoppage time when Hause was judged to have handled the ball when he blocked Fernandes’ cross.
What has been said?
The spot kick was delayed as players from both sides surrounded the penalty area and the referee.
Fernandes altered his usual approach to penalties, abandoning his usual skip in the run up and subsequently sent it sailing over the bar.
Solskjaer complained that the Villa players tried to put him off in his post-match interview, saying: “First of all, the way they get round the penalty spot, get around Bruno and all that, that’s not to my liking, but I do understand it, it shouldn’t be that way.
“Bruno is normally very good in those positions and unfortunately just missed this one. It doesn’t get into Bruno’s head, he’s strong mentally and he’ll step forward again.”
He added in his press conference: “Today you would back Bruno with your mortgage. What I didn’t like was the way they crowded the penalty spot. It clearly worked for them but that’s not great to see. They achieved what they wanted to.”
Asked if Fernandes was the first choice to take the penalty, Solskjaer replied: “The decision is made before the game, yeah.”
What is Fernandes’ penalty record at Man Utd?
Fernandes’ penalty was his 23rd for the Red Devils and just the second he has missed.
The last time the midfielder failed to convert a spot kick was last October in the 4-1 win at Newcastle.
Further reading
Source: Source: Goal
