He committed stupid mistake, played sloppy passes – Peter Schmeichel slams Man Utd midfielder

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel has slammed midfielder Bruno Fernandes for committing a ‘stupid’ mistake and playing some sloppy passes during his side’s UEFA Europa League 2-1 win over Barcelona on Thursday.

Fernandes gave away a penalty against Barcelona in the Europa League playoff second-leg tie at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international pulled down Alejandro Balde in the box to hand the Spanish La Liga leaders a spot kick which Robert Lewandowski converted to put Barcelona 1-0 up at Old Trafford.

But Schmeichel was absolutely furious with Fernandes.

“It looks like a penalty,” Schmeichel said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s so stupid to pull a man down inside the penalty area in a situation where Alejandro Balde is going away from goal.

“He has pulled him down. That is just stupid. That is a clear penalty. It is just silly and unnecessary.

“Balde was going away from goal, he was going nowhere. Just let him go! The one thing you’ve to eradicate in these big games is mistakes.

“Bruno Fernandes is still arguing [with the referee]. He needs to get a grip and start concentrating.

“He played some sloppy passes and now has given a penalty away which was completely unnecessary. He owes the team and he needs to control himself.”

United advanced to the last-16, thanks to goals from Fred and Antony in the second-leg playoff encounter.