Michael Owen has reacted to a key decision involving Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes during the Bournemouth match at Old Trafford on Monday.
Bruno Fernandes made an impact once again for the Red Devils after the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder scored a stunning free-kick in the second half.
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Manchester United were trailing 3-2 to Bournemouth at the time that Fernandes stepped up for the important set-piece in Monday evening’s clash at Old Trafford.
Fernandes curled a sensational strike into the top-right corner of the Bournemouth net and the United captain pulled the Red Devils level on the scoreline.
Matheus Cunha then put United into the lead over Bournemouth two minutes later, only for Eli Junior Kroupi to net a crucial equaliser for the Cherries.
Michael Owen picks out one issue amid Bruno Fernandes’ ‘fabulous’ Man Utd free-kick vs Bournemouth
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen lavished praise on Bruno Fernandes’ superb free-kick.
However, the 46-year-old former England international was not happy with the “really poor decision” that led to the free-kick for United in the first place.
United were awarded their free-kick against Bournemouth after it had been deemed that Adam Smith was at fault for a handball after the ball hit him at close range.
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What a hit!🎯
The ball struck Adam Smith on his arm and the Cherries were still punished, with Fernandes stepping up for the dead-ball set-piece and netting for United.
“The pace, dip, everything, it was a fabulous free-kick – but it should never have been one,” Owen said, as per the Metro.
“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.”
Michael Owen says Bruno Fernandes almost went down the dark arts route with his reaction in Man Utd’s 4-4 draw
Owen is convinced that the reaction to the ball hitting Adam Smith’s arm might have been a key part in United being awarded their free-kick against Bournemouth.
The Ballon d’Or winner suggested it would be too harsh to describe Fernandes’ approach as the “dark arts” and instead labelled it as a “streetwise” decision.
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“The referee thinks, ‘Oh, I didn’t see it properly, I’ll give it,’ because of the reaction of the player, it’s [a] human reaction,” Owen added.
“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 [label]… he was streetwise, let’s say, in winning that free-kick.”
United will now travel to Villa Park and the Red Devils will face Premier League side Aston Villa on Sunday, with kick-off slated for 4:30pm UK time.
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