Bruno Fernandes’ Reaction After Missing Penalty Against Fulham

The match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage, Sunday (24/8/2025), left a big story for the Red Devils captain, Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese player once again became the highlight after failing to convert a penalty in the first half, a moment considered a turning point in the match which ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the 29th minute, United got a golden opportunity after referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot. Fernandes, who has been MU’s primary penalty taker, confidently stepped forward. But his execution was far from ideal. The ball flew high over Bernd Leno‘s crossbar, keeping the score level at nil-nil.

This failure was his fifth since he joined MU in 2020. Although his overall record is still impressive—28 goals from 33 penalties—the moment against Fulham felt very costly as United failed to take an early lead.

In a post-match interview, Fernandes did not look for scapegoats. He admitted his execution was poor, although he did mention a slight disturbance before the penalty was taken.

“There was a small incident with the referee before I took my run-up. It disrupted my rhythm, but this is not an excuse. I should have finished the penalty better,” Fernandes said.

This attitude received appreciation because he honestly admitted his mistake, instead of blaming external factors.

Bruno Fernandes: “That Penalty Was My Mistake, But I Won’t Hide”

Despite the failure, Fernandes affirmed that he would not shy away from his responsibility as captain and the team’s primary penalty taker.

“I am the captain, and I will always take responsibility. If my teammates and coach trust me again, I will still step forward. I will not hide just because of one failure,” he emphasized.

This statement reflects Fernandes’ character, always brave in facing great pressure.

Public reactions varied. Some MU fans supported Fernandes to remain the primary penalty taker, judging that his success record far outweighed his failures. But many also suggested that the penalty duty be given to other players, such as Mason Mount or Benjamin Šeško.

The English media also highlighted this failure as one of the reasons United failed to win. “A golden opportunity wasted,” wrote The Guardian, while The Times considered Fernandes’ penalty miss as a symbol of a difficult start to the season for MU.

Bruno Fernandes showed a mature attitude after failing to convert a penalty against Fulham. He did not refuse responsibility, and is even ready to take the next penalty if trusted. Despite the failure, his determination and openness are to be appreciated. Now, the next challenge for Fernandes is to prove that one failure will not change his status as a leader and one of the most important players at Manchester United.