Bruno Fernandes fell out with center-referee Michael Olivier during Manchester United’s shock 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford in Premier League matchday 26.
The Manchester United skipper was seen confronting the center-referee as Man United’s frustrations grew and climaxed at the blast of the final whistle.
After a barren draw in the first half, Calvin Bassey gave Fulham the lead early in the second half. United left it late to equalize through Harry Maguire in the 89th but Fulham fought back to grab an unlikely victory through Alex Iwobi’s late goal.
From edging close to completing a comeback, a late counterattack engineered by substitute Adam Traore did the magic for the Cottagers ending their 19-year wait for a Premier League victory at Old Trafford.
Manchester United players were visibly destabilized at the blast of the final whistle. And the club’s skipper Bruno Fernandes fell out with center-referee Michael Olivier after the game.
In footage making the rounds, Bruno Fernandes could be seen making gestures of disapproval at the referee in protest of some of his decisions in the game.
It was not clear what he actually said to Olivier but it was evident the Portugal international was not cool with Olivier’s officiating.
Bruno Fernandes was FUMING with Michael Oliver following Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Fulham at Old Trafford! 🤬 pic.twitter.com/8QminXAnw5
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) February 24, 2024
He was joined by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and other Man United players who later dragged him off the row with Olivier before the players left the field.
Fulham grabbed an unlikely victory at Old Trafford to deal a blow to Manchester United’s top-four hopes.
United were in red-hot form going into the game with six wins and a draw in their last seven matches but are now pegged back to default settings by the Cottagers.
They have missed out on a chance to move level on points with Tottenham in the 5th place with Aston Villa still hanging on in the top four race with an eight-point gap over the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag will hope to return the team winning ways when they take on Nottingham Forest in FA Cup 5th round matchup in the midweek.
