Bruno Fernandes Slammed for “Childish” Reaction After Penalty Miss as Captaincy Doubts Grow

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is under heavy criticism after his missed penalty against Fulham in Sunday’s 1-1 draw – with former Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott accusing him of acting like a “child.”

The controversy came after Fernandes, usually calm and clinical from the spot, sent his penalty kick flying over the bar at Craven Cottage. What followed has sparked huge debate not just about his mentality, but also about whether he should continue as United’s captain.

The Penalty Incident

United were awarded a penalty in the first half after a VAR check. As Fernandes placed the ball on the spot and prepared for his routine, referee Chris Kavanagh accidentally collided with him. Fernandes later admitted the bump disrupted his focus, saying it “upset” him because it broke his concentration.

But rather than brushing it off, Fernandes seemed rattled. He repositioned the ball, missed badly, and then confronted the referee both on the pitch and again as the players returned for the second half.

Walcott’s Scathing Criticism

Speaking on It’s Called Soccer!, Walcott didn’t hold back:

“I look at it like this – it’s a child’s response. You’re talking about a natural child reaction, but Bruno Fernandes is the captain of Manchester United. If something that small, a referee bumping into you, affects your focus, then United have a serious problem.”

Walcott went on to compare Fernandes to other top leaders in football, suggesting that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard would never react in the same way.

“Get him off penalty duties, maybe even get him off the captain’s armband,” Walcott added. “As a professional athlete and leader of the biggest club in the world, he should be stronger.”

Fernandes’ Response

Fernandes admitted his frustration but did not shy away from accepting responsibility:

“Yes, I was upset because every penalty taker has a routine. The referee didn’t apologise and that triggered me, but that’s not the excuse. I just hit the ball badly. I went too far under it, and that’s why it went over the bar.

Amorim’s View

Manager Ruben Amorim also addressed the controversy, highlighting Fernandes’ responsibility within the team:

“He knows every moment can have a big impact. He felt that missed penalty heavily. It was a huge moment for us, and he carried that weight.

More Pressure After Carabao Cup Exit

The drama around Fernandes only intensified a few days later when Manchester United suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town.

Fernandes started on the bench but came on in the second half, scoring twice in the marathon penalty shootout. Despite his contribution, new signing Bryan Mbeumo missed the crucial spot kick, sending United crashing out of the competition.

While Fernandes’ penalty-taking ability remains under scrutiny, his leadership qualities were on display after the final whistle. The Portuguese midfielder immediately consoled Mbeumo, guiding him away from the pitch as frustrated fans stormed onto the grass