Ruben Amorim says Manchester United 'have to grow up a lot' after losing lead at Fulham as Bruno Fernandes 'upset' with referee exchange
AFNEWS reporter
Aug 25, 2025
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United 'have to grow up a lot' after losing lead at Fulham as Bruno Fernandes 'upset' with referee exchange
Ruben Amorim feels his Manchester United side "have to grow up a lot as a team" as they let slip a one-goal advantage at Craven Cottage to draw 1-1 with Fulham. Amorim's side have a single point to show for their efforts from the opening two matches of the Premier League season, and the Portuguese coach was disappointed his team could not see out the victory after taking the lead on 58 minutes.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Appointment Of The Next IGP Will Not Be Based On Ethnicity -Garba Shehu| READ DETAILS
Manchester United "have to grow up a lot as a team," according to head coach Ruben Amorim after their 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday.
READ ALSO: Northern lawyers' leaders reject NBA splinter group
A Rodrigo Muniz own goal put United in the lead on 58 minutes at Craven Cottage, but Amorim's side were pegged back as Emile Smith Rowe met Alex Iwobi's cross with a charging run towards the six-yard box.
READ ALSO: Lady drags zobo seller to court over alleged food poisoning, demands N88,000
Amorim conceded that his side "forgot about how we play" after going a goal up, and suggested United were so eager for victory that they overlooked the task ahead of them.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
The United boss told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We want to win so badly, and that is a good feeling, that we scored a goal and everyone on the pitch was thinking, 'Let's hold onto the advantage and try to win the game'.
READ ALSO: Southern Kaduna leaders want palms greased - El-Rufai
"For me, that is the moment that we have to enjoy more and push the opponent. We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space.
READ ALSO: How Buhari's Visit To Ebonyi Will Facilitate Nnamdi Kanu's Release - Ohanaeze
"We have to grow up a lot as a team. For me, the most important thing is that during the week they were working really hard. Today, we worked really hard, and we are going to improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal."
READ ALSO: De General's Arrest: NDLEA Wasting Tax Payers Money- Basketmouth | READ DETAILS
Despite the low-key result, it was an event-filled match as the hosts, in particular, took issue with some controversial decisions. The first of which saw United awarded a first-half penalty with Calvin Bassey adjudged to have wrestled Mason Mount to the ground while a corner was being delivered.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Bruno Fernandes, however, sent the penalty soaring above the crossbar.
Amorim suggested his side needed to "relax" while also observing Fernandes' reaction to his blazed penalty.
Asked how his side go about "growing up", Amorim responded: "Training, in the game. You need to win to have the feeling to relax a little bit, not in the intensity and the way we play, but maintaining our mind.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
"We suffer a little bit in the end because the momentum changed more with the goal of Fulham.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
"In the first half we were there, we missed a penalty... Fernandes has so much responsibility with him that I felt a lack of joy [after the miss] and he was thinking in the past. Now we have to move forward no matter what happens."
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Appointment Of The Next IGP Will Not Be Based On Ethnicity -Garba Shehu| READ DETAILS
In the lead-up to the missed penalty, Fernandes' walk back from the spot was interrupted by referee Chris Kavanagh, as their paths crossed and they bumped into one another.
READ ALSO: Northern lawyers' leaders reject NBA splinter group
The United captain said he was "upset" that Kavanagh did not apologise, but dismissed any suggestions that was the reason he missed the target.
READ ALSO: Lady drags zobo seller to court over alleged food poisoning, demands N88,000
"I was upset," Fernandes told Sky Sports. "As a penalty-taker, you have your own routines, your own things that you do. It upset me because the referee didn't apologise.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
"That is what triggered me in that moment, but that's not the excuse for missing the penalty. I had a very bad hit on the ball. I put my foot too under the ball and that's why it ended up going over the bar."
READ ALSO: Southern Kaduna leaders want palms greased - El-Rufai
The draw leaves United with a single point from their first two matches, following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend.
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— AFNEWS reporter