Fulham vs Manchester United: Gary Neville Blames Referee for Bruno Fernandes’ Shock Penalty Miss

Fulham vs Manchester United: Gary Neville Blames Referee for Bruno Fernandes’ Shock Penalty Miss

Manchester United’s 2025/26 Premier League season has stumbled out of the gate. After a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend, Ruben Amorim’s men showed glimpses of promise against Marco Silva’s resilient Fulham—but once again, they lacked the clinical edge in front of goal.

The game’s turning point arrived in the first half, when United were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Bruno Fernandes, one of the league’s most reliable spot-kick specialists, stepped up with confidence. Yet, in a moment that stunned fans at Craven Cottage and beyond, the captain blazed his effort high over the bar.

It wasn’t just a rare mistake—it sparked controversy after Gary Neville suggested referee Chris Kavanagh played an unexpected part in the miss.

The Penalty Incident: From VAR to Heartbreak

United’s Mason Mount was brought down by Calvin Bassey in the box, leading to a VAR intervention and eventually a penalty. For Fernandes, who had converted 90% of his penalties since joining the club in 2020, it should have been routine.

Instead, his strike sailed into the stands, killing United’s momentum and handing Fulham the belief they needed to hold firm. Amorim’s side never recovered, leaving London with another defeat and growing concerns about their early-season form.

Neville’s Surprising Claim

On Sky Sports commentary, Gary Neville put forward a theory that raised eyebrows. According to the former United defender, referee Chris Kavanagh may have accidentally disrupted Fernandes’ concentration before the penalty.

“He picked the ball up—it was the referee, maybe. He’s given him a little bit of a bump by accident,” Neville explained. He also suggested Fernandes seemed rattled, pointing out that the midfielder was still arguing with Kavanagh as he prepared to take the kick.

For Neville, even a minor distraction at such a crucial moment could have been enough to throw Fernandes off his rhythm.

Fans Divided: Excuse or Explanation?

The reaction online was split. Some supporters sided with Neville’s analysis:

• “Kavanagh ruined Bruno there. His head was on Mars after that bump.”

• “That wasn’t the usual Bruno penalty—he was clearly rattled.”

Others, however, felt Neville was making excuses for his former club:

• “Blaming the referee for Bruno skying it? That’s embarrassing.”

• “Neville’s bias is off the charts. Bruno just missed—simple as that.”

This debate once again highlighted the tension between Neville’s expertise as a pundit and accusations of favoritism toward Manchester United.

Breaking Down the Miss

Statistics back Fernandes’ quality from the spot—36 successful penalties out of 40 attempts for United prior to this miss. His signature stutter-step run-up depends heavily on rhythm and composure, meaning even a small disruption could matter.

Still, elite players are expected to handle pressure. Bernd Leno’s reputation as a penalty stopper (saving 20% of penalties in his Premier League career) may have also played a role in Fernandes’ rare misfire.

What It Means for Manchester United

For Amorim’s team, the bigger issue is consistency in attack. United have scored just once in their opening two fixtures, with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee yet to deliver and Rasmus Højlund sidelined through injury.

At 31, Fernandes remains the heartbeat of the squad, with 79 goals and 70 assists in the league. But misses like this raise questions about whether the burden of captaincy is weighing him down. Amorim, however, offered his support:
“Bruno’s human. He’ll score the next one.”

Fulham’s Resilient Display

While United struggled, credit goes to Fulham’s defensive organisation. Calvin Bassey recovered strongly after conceding the penalty, while Adama Traoré’s pace caused problems on the counter. In goal, Bernd Leno’s commanding presence sealed a well-earned point for Silva’s side.

Looking Ahead

Manchester United face a tough run with fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City on the horizon. Unless Amorim finds a sharper cutting edge, the pressure on both Fernandes and his teammates will only grow. Transfer rumours linking United with a new striker, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, underline the urgency for solutions.

As for Neville’s theory, whether you see it as a valid insight or just another excuse, one thing is clear: Bruno Fernandes’ penalty miss has become a defining moment of United’s rocky start to the season.