Uncategorized

Manchester United manager unsure: Ten Hag on the Fence About Bruno Fernandes penalty decision

Manchester United navigated a potential banana skin in the FA Cup third round on Monday night, dispatching League One Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the DW Stadium. Erik ten Hag’s men were far from flawless but ultimately secured their place in the fourth round thanks to goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.

Dalot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, rifling a low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards after being afforded space on the right-hand side. The Red Devils dominated possession throughout the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal making a fine save to deny Marcus Rashford.

United continued to press after the break and were finally rewarded in the 74th minute when Fernandes converted a penalty after being brought down by Liam Shaw. The Portuguese midfielder’s spot-kick was emphatic, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to seal the win.

“I couldn’t tell,” says Ten Hag

Following Manchester United’s defeat, manager Erik ten Hag remained on the fence regarding the disputed penalty awarded to Bruno Fernandes. Confessing limited visibility from his vantage point, ten Hag acknowledged the referee’s apparent hesitancy in making the call, further fueled by the absence of VAR in the match. This ambiguous stance reflected the lingering uncertainty surrounding the penalty’s legitimacy. “I couldn’t tell. I haven’t seen it, It’s too far away from my position,” Ten Hag said.

Manchester United may have emerged victorious in their FA Cup clash, but the Red Devils’ dominance was somewhat overshadowed by the controversial penalty and missed opportunities. Despite registering a staggering 33 attempts, with a respectable 14 finding their way on target, United only managed a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic. While the win secures United’s passage to the fourth round, where they’ll face either League Two Newport County or National League Eastleigh, the Red Devils will undoubtedly be left to ponder the missed chances.

A crucial Premier League clash awaits Manchester United this Sunday as they welcome in-form Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford. Sitting eighth in the table with 31 points, a sizeable gap of nine points separates the Red Devils from the coveted Champions League zone currently occupied by Arsenal. Spurs, meanwhile, occupy a lofty fifth place, adding intrigue to an already mouthwatering encounter.