Bruno Fernandes has shared that he told referee Paul Tierney ‘you can’t give one foul and then not the other’ as Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was controversially chalked off as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (04/09/22 at 6:40 pm).
The Manchester United midfielder claimed that, minutes before Martin Odegaard was penalised for a foul on Christian Eriksen, the on-field referee gave Martinelli a foul for a not too dissimilar incident that occurred during the opening of the Arsenal star’s goal.
When Odegaard initially challenged Eriksen for the ball, play was waved on and Martinelli’s goal was seemingly going to stand.
But VAR intervened, they told Tierney to look at his decision again, he obliged, then overturned his call and then not long after Manchester United opened the scoring through Antony.
Arsenal players were left shell-shocked at that call, with Odegaard still protesting as the players walked off at half-time.
From talker to provider, Fernandes then supplied Marcus Rashford with what was Man United’s second goal of the game in the second half, after Bukayo Saka had equalised, as the midfielder shared what was said out on the pitch.
“I just went to the referee because three or four minutes before he did a foul,” said Fernandes. “He (Paul Tierney) have a foul on Martinelli on the sidelines for someone pushing him.
“I just said ‘if you give a tackle (foul), then you have to carry on and be in the same line all game. You can’t give one and then after, you don’t give the other one.
“He can give that foul or not. But he you give the Martinelli one, then you have to give the other.”
ARSENAL WILL BE FUMING
In terms of the balance of play, Arsenal were the better side and will be annoyed that they didn’t make most of their chances, especially in the second half.
But their trip back to London is one that will leave a bitter taste in their mouth because the fans will be fuming at what happened.
Their 100% start to the new Premier League season has come crashing down at a ground where they have seen their fair share of controversy.
And this is another incident to add to that list, as Erik ten Hag’s side take the honours in this heavyweight tussle between two English giants trying to find their feet once more.
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