"Difficult to understand some decisions" - Marco Silva slams referee in defeat to Manchester United

Fulham manager Marco Silva has hit out at referee Chris Kavanagh for failing to award his side a penalty in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.

Silva's side were the better side for much of their clash but imploded in a 40-second spell that saw him, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian sent off following the decision to award United a penalty of their own.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea winger Willian was shown red for his handball on the line to deny Jadon Sancho a goal, Mitrovic was shown red for his furious protests; and Silva says he was given his marching orders for leaving his technical area during a VAR check.

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Fernandes scored from the spot to cancel out Mitrovic's opener, before a goal from Marcel Sabitzer and another strike from the Portuguese playmaker secured a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Speaking after the match, Silva hit out at the referee for the way he handled the match and, in particular, the way his side was denied their own spot-kick for Luke Shaw's push on Mitrovic from a corner.

"We have been really unlucky with Chris Kavanagh this season, many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions," Silva said at his post-match press conference.

"It has to be obvious, it is clear. It is the first moments of the game, but it doesn't matter. It is a clear penalty on Mitro. Luke Shaw pushed Mitro, the referee is in a position to see it. VAR is for sure. Okay, it is pressure to play against Manchester United away from home at Old Trafford.

"For 70 minutes, we did it brilliantly. We were clearly the best team on the pitch, we matched them well until that moment. It is difficult to accept these type of decisions. It is