BRUNO FERNANDES won and scored a controversial penalty to give Manchester United the lead against Aston Villa.
But home supporters were left fuming after replays appeared to show the Portuguese star was the one who committed the foul.
Fernandes, 25, continued his hot run of form by scoring from 12 yards at Villa Park, as United ran out 3-0 winners.
But replays appeared to show Fernandes had stood on Ezri Konsa – who was instead penalised by the referee.
And Aston Villa’s official Twitter account was quick to point that out, sharing a still image complete with a sarcastic, thoughtful emoji.
In fact, the Premier League’s match centre later confirmed to the BBC that VAR shoud have OVERTURNED the decision.
Incredibly, it was Man Utd’s 13th penalty of the season – an all-time league record.
And it meant Fernandes now has 12 goal involvements from just ten games at the Old Trafford club – bettered only by Mick Quinn (13).
Villa fans – as well as fans of top four chasing rivals Chelsea and Leicester – instantly took to Twitter to rant about the appalling decision – with their frustration supported by Man Utd legends Patrice Evra and Roy Keane at half-time.
One wrote: “There’s literally no chance that’s a penalty loooooool.
“What does Jon Moss want Konsa to do? Move his body out the way?”
Another said: “Bruno Fernandes getting a penalty for treading on Konsa’s ankle is Peak Jon Moss.”
A third added: “Fernandes literally mis controls his roulette and rolls straight into Konsa.
“[Commentator] Neville says it’s clever. It’s cheating. And VAR has done absolutely nothing again.”
MARK HALSEY – Villa vs Man Utd
MANCHESTER UNITED should not have been awarded a first half penalty at Aston Villa.
Referee Jon Moss deemed Ezri Konsa fouled Bruno Fernandes but I disagree with the decision.
The Villa defender went to block the ball, he didn’t commit a foul and it was a tangle of legs.
If anything Fernandes fouled Konsa when the Portuguese midfielder stood on the defender, lost his balance and his momentum took him to the ground.
It was clever play by Fernandes but I don’t think it was an act of simulation.
Fernandes gave Moss a decision to make and he felt it was a penalty.
VAR official Graham Scott viewed the incident but didn’t think it was a clear and obvious error.
Moss would have benefited by looking at the pitchside monitor.
One sarcastically joked: “Absolutely disgusting from Konsa that.
“How DARE he stick his leg out and allow Fernandes to nearly break it? Clear penalty.”
Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel even chimed in, agreeing with disgruntled Villa fans.
He wrote: “I am sorry, but that was not a penalty. VAR continues to be a joke.”
Jamie Ohara says a move from Aston Villa to Man Utd would not be right for Jack Grealish
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
