Frank Lampard has warned his defenders to be wary of the likes of Bruno Fernandes following a spate of controversial VAR decisions that have gone in favour of Manchester United in recent weeks.
The Chelsea legend will hope to take a significant step towards winning his first piece of major silverware as the club’s manager by advancing to the FA Cup final at the expense of an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coached side, who extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches in all competitions following Thursday’s victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
While the improvement United have made in recent weeks is indisputable, it has not escaped Lampard that their rivals for a top four place in the Premier League have benefited from several highly controversial decisions.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Against the Eagles they were lucky to escape without conceding a penalty for Victor Lindelof’s clumsy challenge on Wilfried Zaha which occurred just two minutes before Marcus Rashford fired his side ahead.
Advertisement
A week earlier, meanwhile, United were even more fortunate to be awarded a spot kick of their own when Fernandes contrived to win a penalty after it appeared it was he who initiated contact with Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.
On the need for his defenders to extra cautious on Sunday at Wembley, Lampard said: ‘They have to be. Because when players of such high level, quality and speed of the Manchester United forwards travel quickly you have to move your feet and not dive in on them.
‘You need to understand the qualities of the opposition, with players like that. Fernandes is very clever in his movement. We saw that at Aston Villa to make something feel like a penalty where maybe it even isn’t.
‘As a player we can talk about VAR decisions and whether they’re right or wrong. But if a player is going to dangle a leg and not move their feet then you obviously do leave yourself open to penalties, VAR or no VAR.’
Referring to Lindelof’s escape against Palace, he added: ‘The confusing thing about some of the recent ones, and the one on Thursday night, is that it’s a very, very clear and obvious decision that was wrong and didn’t get reviewed and changed. A few of those have happened and that is strange.
‘I would like to think that with VAR you have to be level headed. Some might go against you or not. But we seem to be in a period where, in terms of Manchester United, they’ve got a few in their favour.’
MORE: Frank Lampard reveals how Hakim Ziyech has settled in at Chelsea after first training session
Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Advertisement
Advertisement
