⚽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
**Manchester United’s** skipper Bruno Fernandes has triggered discussion after giving an unusual reason for his penalty miss in the match against Fulham, suggesting that the match ball was to blame.
The Portuguese international, well-known for his calmness and skill from the penalty spot, had a key chance to give his side the lead in a tightly contested **Premier League** game at **Old Trafford**. With the score still level, Fernandes stepped up for the penalty, a moment that could have shifted the game’s momentum. But in a surprising turn, he sent the shot wide, not even forcing a save from the Fulham keeper.
Post-match, Fernandes voiced his disappointment during a media interview. He stated:
> “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 further hinted that there could have been a fault with the ball, claiming that he followed his normal preparation but couldn’t execute the shot with usual precision.
**An Unusual Explanation**
Though missed penalties are a natural part of the sport, Fernandes’ remarks sparked divided opinions. Some supporters backed the United captain, recognizing that balls can occasionally have slight irregularities in texture or air pressure. Others, however, dismissed the reasoning as a cover, saying Fernandes should own the miss.
Ex-professionals now working as pundits were quick to respond. While a few argued that pointing fingers at the ball deflects from the mental pressure involved in penalties, others conceded that technical flaws—though uncommon—could potentially affect performance at the elite level.
**The Significance of Penalties for Manchester United**
This missed opportunity might hurt **Manchester United** in the long run. Amid scrutiny over an inconsistent start to the campaign, every result counts in their hunt for a **Champions League** spot. As both captain and main penalty taker, Fernandes is expected to deliver when it matters most.
Even with this miss, his overall penalty stats remain strong. Still, this latest miss has led some to question whether opposing goalkeepers are starting to read his approach—or if United should consider rotating penalty responsibilities.
**What’s Next**
Despite the debate, Fernandes promised to recover 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** look ahead to their next match, attention will be on whether the Portuguese midfielder can move past this odd moment and maintain his leadership on the pitch.
For now, though, the question remains: was Fernandes’ penalty failure down to a poor strike, psychological pressure, or—as he maintains—a faulty match ball?
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