Man Utd have signed a player with 100 per cent penalty record in his career, Bruno Fernandes may be under pressure

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Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty late against Brentford, and it proved costly.

Former referee Mark Clattenburg blasted the VAR farce that preceded Bruno Fernandes taking his penalty for Manchester United against Brentford.

“This is why people are falling out of love with football when it takes VAR nearly five minutes to make a decision,” he told United In Focus.

VAR had to decide whether Nathan Collins should have been sent off for his last man tackle on Bryan Mbeumo. And they still reached the wrong decision in the eyes of many, giving him a yellow card.

After the five minute wait, Bruno Fernandes missed his penalty.

There was an easy excuse for Fernandes, the wait added to the anxiety and heightened the pressure, but if we are being honest, his penalty was simply not good enough.

Bruno Fernandes misses again

Bruno Fernandes recently celebrated his 100th goal for Manchester United, but after missing two penalties for United this season, he should really be on 102.

Fernandes has missed penalties against Brentford and Fulham this season, and they have been costly, with United losing one and drawing another.

He scored his spot-kick to win the match against Burnley, thankfully. It means his record from the spot this season is a paltry 33 per cent.

Fernandes’ total record for United is 86 per cent scoring rate. He has scored 39 and missed 6, with two of those missed coming this season.

His career record excluding penalty shootouts is an impressive 88 per cent.

Do United need to be worried? Probably not. This season is a small sample size, but it is a worrying trend and reflective of a player who is feeling the pressure from United’s slump and inconsistency under Ruben Amorim.

Benjamin Sesko is best alternative

It is worth noting that if Bruno Fernandes does want a break from penalty duties, or in the unlikely event he is substituted, Manchester United have a player with a perfect career record from the spot.

New signing Benjamin Sesko has a 100 per cent penalty record in his career, scoring 11 penalties from 11 attempts.

Six of these penalties came for club and country during the 2024-25 season.

Sesko’s record does raise more eyebrows as to why he was the last outfield player to take a penalty during the ill-fated penalty shootout against Grimsby.

It was later explained that he was suffering from cramp, having started his first ever game for the club, and he still managed to score his attempt.

Fernandes won’t be giving up his duties, but there are some questions coming to the boil, including whether the Portuguese maestro will still be at the club in 2026/27.