Michael Owen claims ‘naughty’ Bruno Fernandes conned referee in Manchester United draw vs Bournemouth

Michael Owen believes Manchester United hugely benefitted from Bruno Fernandes ‘being a little bit naughty’ during their 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday night.

Fernandes pulled United level with a brilliant free-kick in the 77th minute at Old Trafford, however, Bournemouth were aggrieved as Adam Smith was punished for handball when the ball was fired at him from close range and hit him on the upper arm.

When asked about the handball decision after his side’s draw, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said: ‘I think it’s a clear mistake. Above the armband. It’s not a foul.’

Owen, however, feels United were only awarded the decision due to strong protests from a ‘streetwise’ Fernandes towards referee Simon Hooper.

Speaking about Fernandes’ free-kick with Premier League Productions, Owen said: ‘The pace, dip, everything, it was a fabulous free-kick – but it should never have been one.

‘It was a foot away from him, even if it hits him down low, when you kick it into someone when you’re only a yard away then it’s very harsh, his arms weren’t flailing and it was too high anyway. It was a really poor decision.

‘Little things make so much difference. People don’t want to see people exaggerating a fall or claiming a free-kick when it isn’t… if Bruno Fernandes doesn’t really go mad when that ball hits he never gets it.

‘The referee thinks, ‘oh, I didn’t see it properly, I’ll give it’, because of the reaction of the player, it’s human reaction.

‘These little things make a massive difference. If Bruno doesn’t do that, if he’s not living on the edge and being a little bit naughty, then they don’t get that [free-kick] and they don’t score that goal.

‘These little, I was going to say dark arts but it’s a bit strong… he was streetwise, let’s say, in winning that free-kick.’

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