Manchester United were denied a penalty against Bournemouth shortly before Ryan Christie equalised in the 2-2 draw.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was left furious by VAR’s decision to deny Amad a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. The Reds were leading 1-0 thanks to the captain’s penalty when Amad was pushed to the ground in the area.

Referee Stuart Attwell took a long look at the tackle and decided to wave play on. Moments later, Ryan Christie equalised for the Cherries. VAR Craig Pawson checked the Amad challenge and advised Attwell to stick with his decision, and the equaliser stood. After regaining the lead, United were reduced to ten men.

Evanilson went to ground after a push from Harry Maguire that looked very similar to the challenge on Amad that was not adjudged to be a penalty. The referee pointed to the spot and Maguire was shown a red card. Speaking to Sky Sports at full-time, Fernandes was clearly angered by the officiating. “I am more disappointed [than frustrated],” he said.

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“We had to finish the game with a lot of suffering and try to not concede a goal. The frustration also came a little bit when we could have gone 2-0 up but we end up conceding a goal, not getting a penalty and then we end up getting a penalty against where, more or less, it is the same situation as Amad.

“I know it is difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team but what I don’t understand is why VAR does not get involved in that situation or in the situation with Harry. Either one is a penalty or neither is a penalty.”

The captain continued: “Amad is getting to a point where he is going to shoot and he gets pushed or pulled, I can’t exactly see. You can see there is something which takes him out of balance.

“It is very frustrating for the small players as they always say it is very soft on a small player but when it is a big player they end up giving the foul. I do think it is a penalty [for Bournemouth] but I also think it is a penalty for Amad and that could have changed the game.”

United’s draw means they are four points ahead of Aston Villa, who play their game in hand on Sunday at home to West Ham.