Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes has taken to social media to reveal how frustrated and disappointed he was after missing a crucial spot-kick on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
The spot-kick would have earned Manchester United a much desire draw against Aston Villa that proved to be a hard nut to crack throughout the Premier League game at Old Trafford.
Unfortunately for Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes who is seen as a penalty expert blew away the late-minute chance by hitting the ball way above the bar.
1 – Bruno Fernandes has missed his first penalty for Man Utd in what was his 11th taken from the spot since he joined the club in January 2020 (1 miss, 10 scored). Saved. pic.twitter.com/kdrh7p5No7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 17, 2020
Recall that Manchester United were already a goal down courtesy of Kortney Hause’s 88th-minute header before the same Hause committed a handball offense in the eighteen-yard box a few minutes later.
Aston Villa protested that it was not a handball offense but the intervention of the video assistant referee withheld the decision of the match referee. Hence, Manchester United had a golden opportunity to equalize.
The interesting part was that Cristiano Ronaldo was on the pitch when the late-minute opportunity showed up. He is regarded as the best spot-kick taker in the world and hardly misses no matter the pressure. But Bruno Fernandes would not let him take it.
Hence, Fernandes went ahead to take the kick and to the dismay of most football fans, the Portuguese attacking midfielder blaze the ball into the sky.
If you haven't seen it, here's Emi Martinez's reaction to Bruno Fernandes missing a penalty yesterday… 😂pic.twitter.com/cSSlqUwBeN
— BettingOdds (@BettingOddsUK) September 26, 2021
How he hit the ball with so much intensity made most fans of Manchester United wonder why he decided not to do his normal leap and kick style of taking a penalty kick.
Emiliano Martinez to the Man Utd fans after Bruno Fernandes missed the penalty. This man is a living legend. 😭 pic.twitter.com/ooQInzKLJ9
— Football Shithousery (@FootyRustling) September 25, 2021
Others wondered why coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not order that Ronaldo who is a more proven penalty taker to take it since the kick is so important to the outcome of the game.
Amidst the debate, Bruno Fernandes insisted via his social media platforms that he would take a spot-kick “again without any fear or dread whenever” he is “called upon”.
“Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat,” Fernandes said on Instagram.
“I’ve always assumed my responsibilities and I’ve always embraced them under pressure in moments like this. Today, I failed. But I took a step forward and faced the challenge with the same ambition and responsibility as when, on the many other occasions, the ball ended up in the net.
“Criticism and contrasting opinions are a big part of football. I’ve learned to live with it, even using them to drive me on, and I consider it all a very important part of my commitment to never stop trying to improve.
“Today I once again took the responsibility given to me almost since I joined United and I will take it again without any fear or dread whenever called upon.
“Thank you for all your support after the final whistle! Hearing you chanting my name in the stadium was very emotional.
“I will come back stronger for me because these are the standards I hold myself to, but most of all for my teammates and our fans who have always supported us.”
