“It was not my fault, I don’t know how to explain it but the ball was not good.” – This is according to Bruno Fernandes as he claims that the ball had some defects which caused him to misplace the penalty against Fulham ‎

“It was not my fault, I don’t know how to explain it but the ball was not good.” – Bruno Fernandes blames ball quality after penalty miss against Fulham

 

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has sparked debate after offering an unusual explanation for his missed penalty in United’s clash with Fulham, claiming that the match ball itself was at fault.

 

The Portuguese midfielder, known for his composure and technique from the spot, had a golden opportunity to put his side ahead in a tense Premier League encounter at Old Trafford. With the scoreline finely balanced, Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty that could have changed the momentum of the game. However, to the surprise of fans and pundits, he skewed his shot wide, leaving the Fulham goalkeeper untested.

 

After the game, Fernandes expressed his frustration during the post-match interview. He said:

 

> “It was not my fault, I don’t know how to explain it but the ball was not good. I felt something different when I struck it, almost like it didn’t respond the way it should.”

 

 

 

The midfielder went on to suggest that there may have been a defect with the ball, insisting that he had followed his usual routine but could not achieve the expected accuracy.

 

A Strange Justification

 

While missed penalties are part of football, Fernandes’ comments have drawn mixed reactions. Some fans sympathised with the United captain, acknowledging that match balls can sometimes have inconsistencies in pressure or surface texture. Others, however, criticised the explanation as an excuse, arguing that Fernandes should have taken responsibility for the miss.

 

Former players turned pundits were quick to weigh in. Some claimed that blaming the ball takes attention away from the pressure and psychological factors of penalty-taking, while others admitted that technical defects, though rare, can influence performance at the highest level.

 

The Importance of Penalties for Manchester United

 

For Manchester United, Fernandes’ missed penalty could prove costly. With the team under intense scrutiny after a mixed start to the season, every point is crucial in their push for a Champions League spot. Fernandes, as captain and designated penalty taker, carries the weight of expectation to deliver in decisive moments.

 

His penalty record remains impressive overall, but this miss against Fulham has raised questions about whether opposition goalkeepers are beginning to figure out his distinctive penalty style, or if United might need to share spot-kick duties.

 

Looking Ahead

 

Despite the controversy, Fernandes vowed to bounce back from the incident. “I will keep taking responsibility. This one didn’t go in, but I will not run away from penalties. I trust myself and I know the goals will come again,” he said.

 

As Manchester United prepare for their next fixture, all eyes will be on whether the Portuguese star can put this unusual episode behind him and continue leading by example.

 

For now, though, fans are left debating whether Fernandes’ penalty miss was the result of a poor strike, mounting pressure, or—as he insists—an uncooperative match ball.