Souness and Keane disagree over Bruno Fernandes' role in Southampton goal

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was left furious after believing he was fouled in the build-up to Southampton 's opener.

The Red Devils had started the better at St Mary's, only to see the hosts gradually work their way back in the game.

And just before the half hour mark the Saints took the lead when Che Adams' shot found the bottom corner of David de Gea's bottom corner via a deflection of Fred.

However, United players were fuming with referee Craig Pawson after he waved away protests of a foul by Jack Stephens shortly before the strike.

Stephens put in a robust challenge on Fernandes, before finding Moussa Djenepo, who in turn found Adam Armstrong to help create Adams' goal.

Manchester United players were left frustrated with a number of contentious decisions

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's players crowded round the referee both in the immediate aftermath of the goal and then again at half-time, with the VAR agreeing with the on-field decision.

With Southampton leading at the break, Sky Sports pundits Graeme Souness, Roy Keane and Sol Campbell were unable to come to a majority on the decision.

Souness began: "I want the referee to not blow his whistle as much as possible, but I think Stephens comes across him.

"It's his right thigh against the left thigh of Fernandes and I think there is so much contact there.

"I mean Fernandes is looking to go down in that area anyway but I think he has got a real shout."

United legend Roy Keane felt that Fernandes should have got his body in between player and ball, while also pointing the finger of blame at Harry Maguire and Fred.

Souness felt Manchester United should have been awarded a free-kick, whereas Keane and Campbell both questioned Fernandes' role

"I don't think that it is a foul," Keane said. I think Fernandes should probably get his body across a bit more but the most frustrating thing is what happened after that.

"Quick play by Southampton but Maguire and Fred have got to do better."

Campbell sided with Keane in the debate, suggesting that had he managed to get his body across the oncoming defender, the referee would have been left with no choice but to award a foul.

Campbell explained: "No foul for me really. He steps across and I can understand that it is a little bit violent.

"But if Fernandes gets his body in the way, then it is a foul, it would have been a stonewall free-kick."

Ten minutes after the break, Mason Greenwood helped ease some Manchester United frustrations when he fired home his second of the season to level the scores.

However, United had to settle for a point with neither side able to score a second-half winner.