Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes shoots down Jurgen Klopp penalty moans ahead of Liverpool clash

Ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table battle, Portuguese midfielder insists it is the pace and skills of Martial, Rashford and Co that wins United so many spot-kicks

Bruno Fernandes has scored 14 penalties since joining Manchester United last January. Getty

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes insists there is no justification for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's complaining about the number of penalties given to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

United have been awarded 20 spot kicks in the Premier League since the start of last season, while title rivals Liverpool have had just 10.

Klopp highlighted the large amount of United penalties after his side had two appeals turned down in their recent 1-0 defeat at Southampton.

United manager Solskjaer responded by saying Klopp and other Premier League managers were trying to influence referees not to give his team penalties.

Now Fernandes, ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table clash at Anfield between the bitter rivals, has highlighted what he feels is a simple reason for the number of penalties his team receive – the raw pace and skill of United's attack.

"You always see what people say, but I really don't care. I'm not focused on what they're saying. We have really quick players up front," said Fernandes, who has scored 14 penalties for United since moving to England a year ago.

"Anthony Martial is one of the best players one-against-one in the box, Marcus Rashford is another one who is quick and has quick feet, who can take the ball away from the defender at any moment.

"It's normal that sometimes, because of that, they will be tripped and will fall and they gain penalties.

"People can talk and say what they want. But for me and the team, the main point is continuing to do the right things and when we get a penalty, just scoring.

"I played in Portugal and when you play for Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto are always talking about that kind of stuff – sometimes to put pressure on the referee."

United are top of the table – three points clear of Liverpool – at this stage of the season for the first time since their last title-winning campaign in 2013.

That was the last year of Alex Ferguson's trophy-filled reign, but it is champions Liverpool who are the dominant force now.

Klopp. though, does not consider United underdogs in this season's title race. "I have been five years in England and United was never an underdog. They cannot be," he said. "It is just like it is: always good teams, always great players, always really good managers and coaches.

"It was always there and now they are top of the table. That is how it is. They cannot be underdogs but we play at home and we don't see ourselves as an outsider or whatever just because they are ahead of us.

"We have to be dominant in the games. Usually they change system against us. They played 10 times with four at the back and against RB Leipzig they played with 5 at the back, maybe they will change that.

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Burnley 0 Manchester United 1: player ratings

BURNLEY RATINGS: Nick Pope, 7 – Burnley’s trusted shot-stopper was a spectator for the opening 15 minutes but produced a hatful of stops thereafter, and he showed good hands to hold Bruno Fernandes’ first-time strike before denying Anthony Martial with a super save shortly before the break. Getty

Matthew Lowton, 6 – The defender seemed in peril when he was caught one on one with Martial and again when his poor clearance fell straight to Cavani but he somehow came through both occasions unscathed, only to later divert Pogba’s volley past Nick Pope. EPA

James Tarkowski, 7 - Kept his side in the game with a superb piece of defending to thwart Martial, but he couldn’t make it count at the other end as he scuffed an awkward effort into the ground after United failed to clear Dwight McNeill’s cross. EPA

Ben Mee, 6 - The Burnley skipper’s eyes lit up when the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area but he blasted into the stand, while he was thankful for VAR after completely misjudging a bouncing ball that unleashed Edinson Cavani. AP

Erik Pieters, 5 - He was thankful to hear Kevin Friend blast on the whistle after Harry Maguire outjumped him to head in the opener, only for the referee to chalk off the goal for a foul, but he failed to stop the supply from the left too often and ultimately paid the price. AFP

Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 5 - The man from the land of fire and ice will have definitely needed the latter at the break after finding himself on the receiving end of a late challenge from Luke Shaw, which turned out to be his most memorable involvement. EPA

Josh Brownhill, 5 – Sean Dyche recalled the midfielder to his starting XI after he missed out at MK Dons, but he struggled to stamp his authority in the middle as the visitors gradually turned the screw and curled his best effort away from goal late in the second half. EPA

Ashley Westwood, 6 - Caused problems in the box with an excellent front-post delivery from a corner, but beyond that he was relatively quiet, though he wasn’t helped by two tricky customers in Fernandes and Pogba and saw yellow for clipping the former. Reuters

Robbie Brady, 6 - A lively start from Irishman who blasted his first attempt over within just 15 seconds. He was a handful from set pieces, but was lucky not to be reprimanded for hauling down Cavani with VAR penalising Luke Shaw instead. EPA

Chris Wood, 7 - Like Ashley Barnes, the visitors struggled to deal with his physicality and flick-ons in the opening exchanges and the New Zealander was inches from netting the opener when his goal-bound effort was deflected agonisingly over by Eric Bailly. Reuters

Ashley Barnes, 6 – His CV is far from glamorous, but the forward has proved himself a Premier League frontman in recent years and was a real nuisance for the United back four early on, outmuscling Aaron Wan-Bissaka inside 10 seconds to create the first chance. AP

SUBS: Dwight McNeil, 7 - A first appearance of 2021 for the winger following a groin problem. He replaced Robbie Brady in the 65th minute and dragged Burnley through the gears with an energetic display. Matej Vydra, N/R - Replaced Chris Wood for the final ten minutes. He wasn’t too far away from nicking the equaliser either, smashing his first effort into the side netting before blasting over seconds later. Jay Rodriguez, N/R - Brought on for Ashley Barnes and Dyche rolled the dice again late on, but he had little time to make an impact. Getty

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea, 6 - Quiet night against in-form Burnley. Well protected by his defence when needed and by his players who reduced their number of free-kicks – and thus the Clarets’ greatest threat. Reuters

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wan-Bissaka, 6 - Targeted from the off by Burnley’s diagonal balls towards the back post. Held out, but it was a worrying watch and concerning that he’s perceived as a weakness. Reuters

Eric Bailly, 7 - Comfortable alongside Maguire as he started his fourth straight PL game. Blocked a shot after losing ball after 21 minutes, but perfect to counter Burnley’s style and another solid performance. EPA

Harry Maguire, 7 - Another busy night for the United captain. Had to be alert with early high balls then scored a brilliant header at the other end to put the ball in the net. He felt the foul was harshly given. Kept the VAR machine busy as he escaped a possible handball late on. Reuters

Luke Shaw, 7 - Booked after winning ball in first half but following through too hard. Went in hard to challenge for a late header and was floored. Another positive performance for a player who is becoming important to his team. AP

Nemanja Matic, 7 - Big presence needed in the middle against Burnley’s physical threat. Stable all night as the midfield anchor and his foil Pogba allowed to move forward more. AP

Paul Pogba, 8 - Improved as game went on with runs forward carrying the ball. Found Martial to set up Cavani, but his piece de resistance was his half volley to give United the lead. Didn’t stop there with a superb pass in a tight area to Martial after 82 minutes. More touches and passes than any other player. Won headers in midfield, broke play up. Man of the match. AP

Marcus Rashford, 6 - On the right but couldn’t add to his six goals in seven away games this season. Too many attacks broke down with the Mancunian, but set up Pogba with a splendid cross to put United ahead after 70 minutes. AP

Bruno Fernandes, 7 - A creative grafter with non-stop attacking intent, but also adept getting back to recover. Booked for moaning, but the United player most likely to shoot on goal, he one to lift his teammates when they go flat in matches. A winner. AFP

Anthony Martial, 6 - Scored in each of last three visits to Turf Moor and lively, if not clinical, again. Shot wide on 25 minutes after being one-on-one with defender Lowton. Spectacular shot before half time. Switched to left late on and passed on a fine chance at end. Limped off. PA

Edinson Cavani, 6 - Frustrated in the first half after a red card foul against him – which didn’t count because of Shaw’s earlier foul. Hooked a chance wide after 67 minutes. Still to score in a league game that he’s started but worth his start. AP

SUBS: Mason Greenwood, 6 - On for Rashford with ten minutes to play. Getty

Scott McTominay, N/A - On for Fernandes after 88 minutes. AFP

Axel Tuanzebe, N/A - On for Martial after 94 minutes. EPA

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"Those are things we have to think about – not who is the outsider. It is Liverpool v United and that in itself is a massive game.

"Wherever I would be in the world I would watch it definitely. This is the game."

United have 36 points from 17 games, are unbeaten in 11 league games and have dropped only four points in that spell.

"We know that we can beat anyone, anywhere on any given day. So to be able to go into a game like this, feeling if we play to our best that we can win, is a good feeling," Solskjaer told reporters on Friday.

"It's a test and reality check for where we are really at because Liverpool at Anfield is one of the great challenges. We have won many tight games, scored a few goals in injury time."

Liverpool have not lost at home in the league since April 2017 and Solskjaer is aware of the challenge United face, having beaten the Merseyside club only once in their last 10 meetings.

"We have not really set the world alight too many times. To win away at Anfield you really need to be at your best level. I would rather be on top and have the points than chasing," Solskjaer said.

"But we are the challengers, we are the hunters chasing the champions. It's over the course of a long season and they're the ones that everyone would like to beat."

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Southampton 1 Liverpool 0: player ratings

SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Fraser Forster - 6. Called into the team because Alex McCarthy tested positive for Covid-19 and made the most of his chance. Dominated the area and made a good one-on-one save from Salah. AFP

Kyle Walker-Peters - 7. The 23-year-old was involved in a number of last-ditch clearances and held his own in the battle with Mane. He was a touch fortunate not to concede a penalty after tangling with the Senegalese. Reuters

Jan Bednarek - 7. The Pole neutralised any aerial threat and avoided being dragged out of position by Liverpool’s movement. A solid display. Reuters

Jack Stephens - 7. Strong defending from the Englishman. Made a superb sliding block when Mane looked poised to threaten the goal. EPA

Ryan Bertrand - 6. The 31-year-old had an easier night than he might have expected. He was unable to get forward much but was rarely troubled by Salah and Alexander-Arnold. Reuters

Stuart Armstrong - 7. The Scot was very busy in the midfield, pressing hard at every opportunity. He disrupted the opposition’s passing game. AFP

James Ward-Prowse - 7. The 26-year-old’s magnificent free kick set up Ings to score. The midfielder’s clever passing always contained a hint of threat. EPA

Ibrahima Diallo - 8. The Frenchman was full of running and gave the Liverpool midfield no room to manoeuvre. Produced a great block to cut out a dangerous Firmino cross just before Mane could pounce. EPA

Moussa Djenepo - 6. The Malian caused trouble by running directly at the defence but picked up an injury on one of his dribbles. Limped off after 32 minutes to be replaced by Tella. AFP

Theo Walcott - 6. The on-loan Everton forward took up good positions and ran hard but his end product did not live up to expectations. Withdrawn for Valery in the 82nd minute. EPA

Danny Ings - 8. A superb finish for the goal was the highlight against his former club. He made a difficult opportunity look easy. The striker held the ball up well when his team were under pressure. Substituted for N’Lundulu with 13 minutes to go. Reuters

SUB: Nathan Tella - 6. Replaced Djenepo after 32 minutes. Went close with a shot before half time but drifted out of the game for periods of the second half. EPA

SUB: Dan N’Lundulu - 5. On for Ings in the 77th minute. The 21-year-old saw little of the ball in the short time he was on the pitch. EPA

SUB: Yan Valery - 7. The Frenchman was brought on for Walcott for the last eight minutes to bolster the right side of the defence and almost scored a second goal on the break. EPA

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 3. The Brazilian’s distribution was poor and he looked uncertain at times, perhaps disconcerted by the changes in the defence. Little chance to stop the goal but an excursion outside the area late on nearly gave away a second. Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 3. Should have been more aware of the danger before the goal. Gave the ball away too often on one of his worst nights for some time. Withdrawn for Milner in the 76th minute. EPA

Jordan Henderson - 5. Did well in the role of auxiliary centre-back but was badly missed in midfield. The captain was vocal in his attempts to rally the side. AFP

Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian is much less secure without a dedicated centre-half beside him. Found it difficult to cope with the movement of Ings. EPA

Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot ranged upfield but his deliveries were not up to the usual standard. At least he produced an element of threat. Reuters

Georginio Wijnaldum - 4. The Dutchman had too much ground to cover and could not establish dominance in the restructured midfield. He was unable to provide much creative input. EPA

Thiago Alcantara - 4. The 29-year-old had a dreadful start, giving away the free kick that led to the goal before getting booked. Did not cope with the press in the first half and failed to unpick the defence when Southampton dropped deep in the second period. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 4. Struggled to have any impact on the game. The 27-year-old cannot find a coherent role in the team since returning from injury. Replaced by Shaqiri before the hour mark. EPA

Mohamed Salah - 4. The Egyptian was unable to eke out space and chances. The supply lines were poor but so was the striker's performance. EPA

Roberto Firmino - 4. Managed to carve out one dangerous situation for Mane in the second half but the Brazilian was otherwise disappointing. EPA

Sadio Mane - 6. The brightest of the forwards. Lots of effort but little reward for the Senegalese striker. Wasted his best chance by shooting over the bar and scuffed another opportunity. AFP

SUB: Xherdan Shaqiri - 5. On for Oxlade-Chamberlain with 33 minutes remaining. Tried hard to make a difference but laboured without reward. Reuters

SUB: James Milner - 5. Joined the action with 13 minutes to go when Alexander-Arnold was taken off. Tried to get forward but was scythed down by Walcott. AFP