Bruno Fernandes has acknowledged that Manchester United will have to deal with criticism following their poor start to the new season. The Red Devils kicked off the 2025-26 campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.

Ruben Amorim's team were then held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on Sunday, August 24, at Craven Cottage. After Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty, Manchester United took the lead through Rodrigo Muniz's own goal, but Emile Smith Rowe secured a point for the home side.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Portuguese maestro added that his team had enough opportunities to win the game.

“The game was there for us, I think we created some chances, we had our opportunities to win the game. We put ourselves in front and then we end up conceding a goal from something we were controlling very well during the full game. For us, it’s very frustrating not to get a win today,” said Bruno.

He continued:

“It’s normal [the external noise about not winning in the first two games of the season], when you play for Man United, you know what’s about, you know the noise that is going to be about for anything and everything. You just have to get used to that, to understand what you have to do to improve yourself and the team and help the team to win games.”

The Manchester United skipper revealed that he was upset after bumping into referee Chris Kavanagh as he prepared to take the penalty kick. However, he acknowledged that the incident cannot justify his penalty miss.

“That’s not the excuse to missing the penalty, I just had a very bad hit on the ball. I took my foot too under the ball and that’s why the ball ended up going over the bar,” said Bruno.

Recent reports have suggested that Al-Ittihad are ready to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Manchester United.

What did Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim say about Bruno Fernandes' penalty miss?

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that Bruno Fernandes may have felt the weight of responsibility while taking the spot kick. Speaking after the game, Amorim added that his countryman is not used to missing a penalty.

“I think he’s not used to missing a penalty. He knows the importance that every moment in this context can have a huge impact on the team. I felt that during the game he was not so happy, not so involved because he has so much responsibility and I think he felt that in that moment,” said Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes registered 19 goals and 19 assists from 57 games across competitions last season for Manchester United.

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