'Rotten' - Matt Le Tissier addresses Bruno Fernandes 'whinging' claim after penalty excuse
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Credit: Imago/Football Insider
Chris Smith
Mon 25 August 2025 19:19, UK
Bruno Fernandes’ ‘rotten’ penalty against Fulham on Sunday had nothing to do with bumping into referee Chris Kavanagh.
That’s the view of former Southampton and England forward Matt Le Tissier, who has been analysing the incident exclusively for Football Insider.
Manchester United threw away the lead to draw 1-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday, but could have left with all three points had Fernandes dispatched his spot-kick in the 38th minute — when the scores were still 0-0.
However, the Portugal international blazed his effort high and wide of Bernd Leno’s goal after having to restart his run-up following an accidental bump from Kavanagh.
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett blasted Kavanagh for ‘poor procedure’ in setting the scene for Fernandes’ penalty.
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That’s the refereeing expert’s view, but what about that of a penalty taker?
There are few players in the game, past or present, to have boasted a better spot-kick record than Le Tissier, who scored 47 of the 48 he attempted during his career.
And the former Saints forward disagrees with Hackett, insisting the blame for the awful miss lies solely with Fernandes — who should not have been so easily distracted.
“The interesting thing that happened after (the awarding of the penalty) was Chris Kavanagh accidentally bumping into Bruno Fernandes,” Le Tissier told Football Insider.
“Now, it really seemed to put Bruno Fernandes off a little bit.
I haven’t seen him complaining about what happened, although the Sky commentators did make a note of it.
“I’ve got to say, it was completely accidental, there was barely a touch anyway, and I’d like to think that as a penalty taker myself, something that small wouldn’t have put me off.
“Yes, you’ve got your routine that you go through.
It was just an absolutely rotten penalty in my opinion.
“So from the perspective of a penalty taker, a little nudge by the referee should make no difference whatsoever.
So I hope he’s not whinging about it and using it as an excuse.”
Football Insider verdict
Whether Fernandes’ fault or Kavanagh’s, the penalty miss on Sunday has only served to intensify the headaches faced by Ruben Amorim.
Sunday’s draw leaves United with just one point from their opening two games, and the often forgiving Old Trafford faithful are starting to grow restless.
Following a disastrous 15th-place finish last term, Amorim has been backed with over £200m to spend this summer, bringing in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko to revamp his forward line.
Amorim’s transition period is over, he’s been in charge for 44 matches across all competitions now, winning a miserable 17 of them — and only seven of those victories have come in the Premier League.
The Portuguese coach needs to start delivering results immediately, beginning away at League Two Grimsby in the EFL Cup and continuing at home to Burnley in the Premier League — all before an away Manchester derby and the visit of Chelsea.
Otherwise, serious questions will begin to be asked about Amorim’s suitability for the job.
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