Gary Neville spots 'real reason' Bruno Fernandes missed penalty against Fulham as footage goes viral

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville explained his theory for why Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty against Fulham.

On Sunday afternoon, United hope to bounce back from a loss to Arsenal in their opening Premier League fixture as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

After a tense half that saw chances for both sides, United were awarded a penalty following a VAR check on a clumsy challenge from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey inside the box.

Bassey's clash with Mason Mount gave United captain Fernandes the opportunity to score his first goal of the season and put his side ahead in the match.

However, the Portuguese midfielder shocked fans as he couldn't keep the ball on target, sending it well over the bar, and Neville thinks he knows exactly why.

(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Before the match against Fulham Fernandes had scored 22 penalty goals in the Premier League, missing only four.

Therefore, his failure to even challenge Bernd Leno shocked everyone in Craven Cottage, including Neville who claimed he may have been put off after he bumped into referee Chris Kavanagh.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville claimed: "The referee giving him a slight nudge unnerved him a little bit.”

Prior to the miss on Sunday, the last time that Fernandes had failed to score a penalty given to him in the Premier League was during the match against Chelsea in December 2023.

But fans on social media were not willing to accept Neville's excuse, with one writing: "Enjoying some more unbiased Gary Neville commentary on the Manchester United game yet again.

"Blaming the referee for Bruno Fernandes missing his penalty just normal stuff."

Fernandes last Premier League penalty miss was during the match against Chelsea at Old Trafford on December 6, 2023. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

While another added: "I can’t believe Gary Neville and sky are blaming the ref for Bruno Fernandes missing that penalty."

Thankfully for Fernandes and United, they didn't have to wait long until they established a lead in the game, as centre back Leny Yoro headed the ball into Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, leading to an own goal.

However, they didn't hold onto it for long, as late Fulham substitute Emile Smith-Rowe found an equaliser for the home side in the 73rd minute, just 93 seconds after coming on to the pitch.