Bruno Fernandes has not experienced many low points since moving to Manchester United three years ago. This week, however, the Portuguese midfielder has been the target of widespread criticism in the wake of his team’s shocking 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Fernandes was perceived to have demonstrated an unprofessional attitude during the loss, after which he has endured fierce condemnation from United legends in the media, while the broader British press have promoted discussion over whether his role as vice-captain should be reassessed.

The former Sporting man is undoubtedly a divisive figure in the English game. Many, including some United fans, question the theatrical and argumentative side of his game, while for rival supporters Fernandes is often held up as a disliked figure. However, perceptions around his conduct took a particularly negative turn on Sunday.

As United collapsed during the second half, conceding six goals on their way to a heaviest defeat in over 90 years, Fernandes came under the spotlight. Like several of his teammates, the Portuguese appeared to lose heart as the goals rained in, with his gesticulation and exaggeration of contact during challenges drawing attention after the game.

“Fernandes’ body language today was nothing short of disgraceful, so much talent but you wouldn’t be happy with him in the dressing room,” said ex-United skipper Roy Keane. Fellow former Reds captain Gary Neville added: “I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms around at his teammates, not running back; he whinges at everybody, going down holding his face – he’s got to put in a captain’s performance and that wasn’t a captain’s performance by a Manchester United player.”

Long-serving retired full-back Patrice Evra also encouraged Fernandes to change his demeanour. Yet perhaps the worst backlash has been from the mainstream media, which has included calls from prominent pundits and journalists for Fernandes to be stripped of the vice-captaincy which currently sees him lead the team in most games.

Ten Hag, Rashford backing

Fernandes will no doubt be able to rely on the support of Manchester United supporters, given his outstanding contribution at Old Trafford since a high-profile move from Sporting in 2020. On Wednesday, manager Erik ten Hag was asked if the midfielder would remain in his role and the Dutchman unsurprisingly offered a thorough defence of his player.

“Yes definitely,” said Ten Hag. “He’s playing a brilliant season, he’s had a really important role in why we’re in the position where we are, and he’s giving energy to the team - not only running a lot at the highest intensity but the right way and right direction.

“He’s coaching players, he’s an inspiration, but no-one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, we have to learn, he has to learn and he will, because he’s intelligent. I’m happy to have Bruno Fernandes in the team and that he’s captain when Harry isn’t on the pitch.”

United star forward Marcus Rashford also backed his teammate. “I love playing with Bruno, for a forward like me he’s a perfect player to play with,” the striker said in the press conference ahead of Thursday’s clash with Real Betis. “He’s been a good leader for us even when he’s not been captain, which is always a good sign, he’s helped other players become better leaders and the reality is we can’t be an organised with just one leader being captain.

“He’s done a lot in terms of bringing his leadership skills in, that was from the moment he arrived. Like the manager said, nobody is perfect, sometimes you want to win so bad you end up doing things a little our of character.

“But as a team we have to support him because he’s a fantastic player.”

By Sean Gillen

@SeanGillen9

Comments (7)

This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Didn't see game, so I don't know how bad it was, but it seems a little over board. Sure he needs to improve his behavior, it has bugged me in the past especially when he was younger.

I think over all it comes from a deep desire to win, which he...

Didn't see game, so I don't know how bad it was, but it seems a little over board. Sure he needs to improve his behavior, it has bugged me in the past especially when he was younger.

I think over all it comes from a deep desire to win, which he has. Can he show it better, for sure and hopefully, this will drive him to improve in his antics.

But I find it a little disloyal for true United Fans to be that harsh, and it is easy being a former legend when you where under a strong leader like Ferguson and had much more talented and committed players around you.

Without Bruno's leadership and drive, this Untied team would be nowhere. Ten Haag best decision was making Bruno a captain.

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Paulo
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Bruno can be a mini CR7 with the theatrics , gesticulation and exaggeration of contact. At times, he forgets he is playing in the Premier League where that is not appreciated nor accepted. You cannot throw your arms up at your teammates...

Bruno can be a mini CR7 with the theatrics , gesticulation and exaggeration of contact. At times, he forgets he is playing in the Premier League where that is not appreciated nor accepted. You cannot throw your arms up at your teammates when they don't make the play or pass you wanted. I wanted Bruno to close down that Moroccan player who crossed the ball into the box and cost us the game in the World Cup instead Bruno slow walked it. Bruno is good player. Everyone on Sunday was devastated over the loss to Liverpool. As captain he needs to set the example.

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MrJohn
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Kudos to ETH though... I bet he pulled no punches with Fernandes behind the scenes, but made a point of emphasizing Bruno's contributions and opportunity to "grow" when addressing this situation with the media.

Nelson
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Bruno is ManU‘s indispensable playmaker, that is obvious. But I doubt he is captain material. Giving a decisive but difficult member of a team a leading role is a technique to discipline them. This works sometimes but not always. When talking...

Bruno is ManU‘s indispensable playmaker, that is obvious. But I doubt he is captain material. Giving a decisive but difficult member of a team a leading role is a technique to discipline them. This works sometimes but not always. When talking football I ask myself where the idea is coming from to make the key player the captain. We know that mistake already from Queiroz when coaching Portugal.
A fair-weather captain is NO captain. A real captain leads the team through every storm and real leadership shows in times of the worst defeats, not in the glorious victories.
Maybe Bruno learns something, that would be great.

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Rolf Gerber
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I saw the game because of the criticism.

Nothing to see here. Why?

United is for sale.

Notice all the glowing BS news around the club the last 2 months? The manager is star! 6 goals man city but no no hes what United need.

He has a string...

I saw the game because of the criticism.

Nothing to see here. Why?

United is for sale.

Notice all the glowing BS news around the club the last 2 months? The manager is star! 6 goals man city but no no hes what United need.

He has a string of results, his tactics took a few weeks to figure out. Liverpool did. Same "tactics" everyone else is deploying in this idea that it's "modern" and Pep or something. They were exposed, that is the right word.

Exposed as a fake team and it will continue with fake news while its for sale.

The club, the manager, cannot be the focus. News is instantly Bruno. 10 players act like that every week.

United suck. Bruno was rested again from WC, United up in form. Bruno is worn out again, and United will collapse.

He's the only thing they have going besides Dalot and a few maybes.

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FC
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Hilarious comment, haha. Liverpool was on a high as they were in a low against Real in the UCL. 1st half ManU should have scored first and in 2nd they fell apart. Lack of discopline but they can correct that. ManU under tenHag is the way more...

Hilarious comment, haha. Liverpool was on a high as they were in a low against Real in the UCL. 1st half ManU should have scored first and in 2nd they fell apart. Lack of discopline but they can correct that. ManU under tenHag is the way more stable team than Liverpool. Dominant against Barca over two legs. Rashford on fire, Sancho gets to his oen self, Casemiro the rock, etc etc… I really din‘t kniw what you see. Probably only your wishful thinking, maybe you are a salty Ronaldete.

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Rolf Gerber
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Bruno Fernandes is not someone who will lead you to the light when facing extreme darkness. He is someone who will blame everyone else for not paying the electricity bill

BJRMB
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