Why Bruno Fernandes wasn't given a foul in build-up to controversial Man Utd vs Liverpool goal

Bruno Fernandes has been criticised by Lee Dixon for his role in Liverpool's second goal against Manchester United. The United captain felt he should have been awarded a foul in the build-up to the crucial strike.

United were facing their bitter rivals at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The winner of the tie would join Manchester City, Chelsea and Coventry in the semi-final of the prestigious cup competition.

Scott McTominay had put United ahead early in the first half with a close-range finish. However, the visitors turned the game around with late goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah before the interval.

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VAR checked Salah's goal for a potential foul on Fernandes by Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. The video assistant referee decided to stay with the on-field decision, and United would go on to head into the break 2-1 behind in the tie.

Dixon was commentating on the game and was critical of Fernandes in the build-up to Salah's goal. The former Arsenal defender explained why VAR made the correct decision by allowing Salah's goal to stand.

"He's [Fernandes] got to be stronger," said Dixon while on commentary duty for ITV Sport. "I don't think that's a foul. He [Joe Gomez] puts his foot on the ball and just leans into Fernandes who has got to be stronger than that."

Dixon added: "The way Fernandes plays the game, nine times out of ten he will think 'I will get a foul for this'. Any pressure from behind, I am going to go down to the ground and he does.

"It is not a foul. He will look at that foul and think