Nemanja Matic has revealed Bruno Fernandes told Manchester United teammates he made contact with the ball after conceding a penalty against West Brom at Old Trafford.
Referee David Coote had no hesitation in pointing to the spot after Fernandes’ collision with West Brom midfielder Conor Gallagher in the box just after half-time.
But after being advised by his VAR official to check the pitch side monitor, Coote overturned his decision.
It proved to be a decisive moment in the game as United were rewarded a penalty of their own minutes later which Fernandes converted at the second time of asking.
Fernandes’ retaken spot-kick proved to be the match-winner as the Reds ended their woeful home run in the league with an important victory.
And Matic, who played in a double midfield pivot alongside Fred against the Baggies, believes the correct decision was ultimately made by the officials.
“Bruno said straight away that he had the ball at first,” Matic told MUTV, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“The referee gave the penalty but VAR is there to see and to make correct decisions. That’s why people made VAR, to reduce the mistakes and to give correct decisions.
“I think it was not a penalty and I’m happy that he overturned.”
Fernandes needed to keep his composure from the spot after his first attempt, initially saved, had to be retaken because Baggies goalkeeper and United academy graduate Sam Johnstone was off his line.
“It’s not easy when you shoot the first one and the keeper leaves the line, and to shoo the second one,” the Serbian midfielder added.
“I’m happy that he (Fernandes) had the concentration.”
United’s unconvincing three points lifts Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side above Man City in the league table after Pep Guardiola’s side were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds welcome Istanbul Basaksehir to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday before a trip to face Southampton in the league next Sunday.
READ MORE: Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand identify key problem in Solskjaer’s Man Utd team selection
