Bruno Fernandes was reportedly involved in a half-time bust-up with an Everton legend before inspiring a miraculous Manchester United comeback in a fiery Goodison Park encounter.
Man United’s captain led the charge to help claw United back from a two-goal deficit against the Toffees, firing in a wonderful free-kick before Manuel Ugarte equalised with 10 minutes to play.
However, Everton were aggrieved to see a gilt-edged chance to win the match snatched from their grasp, feeling they should have had a stoppage-time penalty after Ashley Young appeared to be fouled in the box.
The former United winger looked to have had his shirt pulled by Matthijs De Ligt before being tripped by Harry Maguire – and while referee Andrew Madley initially pointed to the spot, he was recommended by VAR to reconsider.
After consulting the pitch-side monitor, Madley overturned his decision to draw the ire of the Goodison faithful, with tempers flaring between players at the full-time whistle.
But that wasn’t the only touchline clash the contest had to offer, with The Telegraph claiming United skipper Fernandes squared up against Everton cult hero Derek Mountfield at the interval – for a bizarre reason.
Bruno Fernandes got into a bust-up with Everton legend Derek Mountfield at half-time
Fernandes went on to spark United’s miraculous comeback at Goodison Park as he fired in a wonderful free-kick, before Manuel Ugarte levelled the scoreline with 10 minutes to play
With the Red Devils trailing thanks to first-half goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure, Mountfield jokingly mimed elbowing United players as they walked on to the pitch.
Fernandes took exception to the gag and didn’t mince words words with the former centre-back, who was recently inducted as an ‘Everton Giant’.
The Portuguese midfielder went on to channel his anger into sparking United’s turnaround, inciting a change in momentum after bending home his free-kick.
However, it was the incident at the end of the game that stole the headlines, with Everton insistent that they should have had a spot-kick in additional time.
The Premier League later released a statement revealing that VAR only looked at a possible foul from Maguire and not the shirt tug from De Ligt – something which infuriated David Moyes.
‘Did they mention the shirt-pull?’ said Everton manager Moyes. ‘They only mentioned what they needed to mention. To me, the shirt-pull looked enough for it to be given. My feeling is you shouldn’t be pulling jerseys.
‘I can’t understand why the referee on-field makes a decision and goes to the screen if it isn’t a clear and obvious error. I thought he made the correct decision at the time and should have stuck with it.
‘I think everyone who watches football is looking forward to a referee saying I’m sticking with what I’ve done. From what I saw I didn’t think it was clear and obvious. I didn’t think VAR needed to get involved in it.’
