Fans can't understand how Scott McTominay 'playing basketball' wasn't a Southampton penalty

Fans think Manchester United got away with one against Southampton after seeing Scott McTominay handle the ball twice inside the box.

Bruno Fernandes' effort ten minutes into the second half gave United a hard-fought victory at Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton had their chances and just past the hour mark, the entire stadium believed they deserved a penalty.

Che Adams battled with McTominay and after taking it down on his chest, it hit the 25-year-old's arm outside the box.

He then attempted to re-adjust his body after getting in the box and while doing so, handled the ball again.

Adams and his Saints teammates protested for a spot kick but their request fell on deaf ears.

Supporters have reacted to the incident online and they think Southampton have been hard done by.

One person said: "Bro this is basically travelling in the NBA."

Another commented: "I literally don't know the rules of football anymore.

Someone tweeted: "He might as well of picked it up and booted it out."

While a fourth added: "I mean he only juggles with it with both hands."

United named an unchanged team from the one that defeated Liverpool on Monday evening and didn't match that energy in an uneventful first half.

They should've taken the lead in the 19th minute, but an inspired passage of play from Southampton's defence kept the scores level.

Fernandes' header teed up Anthony Elanga, who fired his shot straight at goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Elanga popped the ball back into the box, but Fernandes, shot was blocked by the head of Kyle Walker-Peters.

Christian Eriksen then attempted to score his first United goal and saw his effort denied by Armel Bella-Kotchap.

It was Fernandes who found the breakthrough in the 55th minute after catching a Diogo Dalot cross ever so sweetly.

The Portugal international captained the side for a second game on the bounce and registered his first goal of the season.

Victory for United gives them back-to-back victories for the first time since February and a first clean sheet for Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in central defence. It's also United's first clean sheet away from home since December.

Casemiro made his debut in the second half after signing from Real Madrid in a £60 million deal earlier this week.

Featured Image Credit: Premier League

Topics: Manchester United, Scott Mctominay, Southampton

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_