Manchester United midfielder and captain Bruno Fernandes has voiced his disappointment following a contentious 2–2 draw with AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with particular emphasis on the role VAR played in several key moments of the match.
Manchester United entered the fixture with the intention of strengthening their position in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
They appeared to be in control for significant periods, especially after Fernandes successfully converted a penalty in the 61st minute to give his side the lead.
The goal reflected United’s growing authority in the game and suggested they were on course for an important away victory.
However, Bournemouth quickly responded, shifting the momentum of the match. Within six minutes, Ryan Christie restored parity with an equalizing goal, bringing the home side back into contention.
The game then swung once again in United’s favor when a dangerous delivery led to a deflection by James Hill, resulting in an own goal that put the visitors ahead once more.
The closing stages of the match proved decisive and highly controversial.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Harry Maguire was penalized for a foul on Evanilson inside the penalty area, resulting in a straight red card and a spot-kick for Bournemouth.
Substitute Eli Junior Kroupi converted the penalty, ensuring the match ended in a draw and denying United all three points.
After the final whistle, Fernandes expressed his dissatisfaction with how several key decisions were handled, particularly the use of VAR.
He highlighted an earlier incident involving Amad Diallo, who went down under a challenge from Adrien Truffert.
Fernandes questioned why that moment was not reviewed more thoroughly or awarded as a penalty, especially given its proximity to Bournemouth’s equalizing goal, which followed immediately afterward.
In his post-match comments to Sky Sports, Fernandes suggested that Manchester United felt aggrieved and believed the match could have been secured earlier had certain decisions gone their way.
He emphasized the importance of consistency in officiating, noting that similar challenges appeared to be judged differently depending on the situation.
From his perspective, either both incidents should have resulted in penalties or neither should have been awarded, as inconsistent rulings create confusion for players and fans alike.
Fernandes also acknowledged that while refereeing decisions are inherently difficult and often subjective, maintaining uniform standards is essential for fairness.
He stressed that the team must now move forward, focusing on improving results in upcoming fixtures despite the disappointment.
Manager Michael Carrick also shared his concerns regarding the officiating.
He argued that United were denied another potential penalty and described the decisions as inconsistent and difficult to justify.
Carrick noted that the challenges in question appeared similar in nature, involving contact that, in his view, warranted further scrutiny. His comments reflected a broader sense of frustration within the squad.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will aim to recover from this setback when they face Leeds United at Old Trafford on April 13, as they continue their push for a strong finish to the season.
