Danny Murphy says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will likely “have a word” with Bruno Fernandes and pull him up for diving against Tottenham.
Manchester United midfielder Fernandes appeared to win a penalty late in his side’s 1-1 draw with Spurs on Friday.
The Portuguese collided with Eric Dier in the box and referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot before a VAR check overturned the decision, ruling that Fernandes went to ground a little too easily.
Fernandes was arguably United’s best player on the night, and even scored the equaliser from the penalty spot after Paul Pogba was fouled.
Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy was full of praise for Fernandes, hailing the way in which he pulls the strings for the Red Devils.
(Image: PA)
But Murphy thinks the Portuguese needs to remove diving from his game.
“Bruno Fernandes was the best player on the pitch for Manchester United against Tottenham on Friday,” Murphy told the Daily Mail.
“But if you hate diving with a passion like I do, he has to be called out for conning referee Jonathan Moss by leaning into Eric Dier and then falling over.
“From a football point of view, Bruno was terrific again.
(Image: GLYN KIRK/NMC/AFP POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
“I’ve eulogised about his quality before and it didn’t look as though the break had hampered him at all. You could clearly see how important he’s already become to this United team, pulling the strings.
“But no matter how good you are or how well you speak off the pitch, if you make a habit of trying to win penalties and free-kicks, you won’t be admired in the same way.
“At Spurs, he deserved a yellow card for his tumble and as a fan of his I don’t want to see him start doing that. I’m sure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have a word with him about it, and he should do.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It was right VAR overturned the original penalty decision that would have given United the chance of a late winner, but I agree with Jose Mourinho and don’t know why action wasn’t then taken against Fernandes.
“I’m hoping he will be embarrassed if he looks back. He doesn’t need to indulge in diving and gain a reputation for being public enemy No 1. He is talented enough to win matches and make himself a hero without such antics.”
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