Bruno Fernandes Criticized for ‘embarrassing’ Antics vs Wigan

• Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot against Wigan in the FA Cup
• The Manchester United captain was adjudged to have been tripped by Liam Shaw
• But Fernandes was criticized for the way he reacted to minimal contact from Shaw

Bruno Fernandes earned himself a fresh wave of criticism for his antics against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Monday.

United proved too strong for their League One opponents as they ran out 2-0 winners in a comfortable game that saw the visitors have 33 attempts on goal.

Diogo Dalot gave United the lead in the 22nd minute with a lovely curled strike from the edge of the box as the Red Devils went into the break in the lead.

In the second half, there was a moment of controversy as referee Anthony Taylor awarded United a penalty after Fernandes was seemingly felled in the box.

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BBC reports that the United captain received the ball at the edge of the box and expertly dummied his way past Latics star Liam Shaw, who stuck his leg out to stop the non-existent shot. Unfortunately, his trailing foot slightly caught Fernandes, who made the most of it and subsequently earned his side a penalty.

Since there was no VAR, the decision stood to the bemusement of fans on social media.

What further irked fans was that as Fernanes was on the ground, he held his shin to suggest he was in pain whilst contact was made on his foot.

Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy was particularly critical of the United star as he termed Fernandes’ antics ‘exaggerated’.

"It is not just Fernandes, we have seen a few of them recently, Diogo [Jota vs Newcastle last week],” Murphy said on TalkSport.

"There is a tiny little touch and unfortunately, what we are doing by giving those penalties, is we are encouraging players to dive with any, any contact.

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"Because there was not enough contact to send him over and then he puts his foot on the floor and thinks 'oh, I better go over'.

He went on: "It is an exaggerated fall, it is an awful decision and it's encouraging diving. It is encouraging players to go down."

Here are some reactions from fans on social media:

@Niw_cf said:

"Bro dived to win a pen against Wigan."

@LastPickSport added:

"Definitely a dive"

@nischal_15 joked:

"Bruno Fernandes with his trade mark dive to win another penalty this time against a poor "18th placed League One team".

FA Cup fourth-round draw

The FA Cup fourth round draw was released before the Manchester United clash against Wigan.

As Sports Brief reported, United will come up against either League Two side Newport County or non-league Eastleigh in the next round.

Several mouthwatering fixtures have been set up, with City scheduled to face Tottenham.

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Chelsea have also landed a Premier League opponent in Aston Villa, with United scheduled to face the winner between Newport and Eastleigh.