Bruno Fernandes did not ask to be substituted during Liverpool humiliation
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes is not believed to have been asking Erik ten Hag to substitute him in the closing stages of Sunday’s humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Fernandes, who was again wearing the captain’s armband with Harry Maguire not on the pitch, was seen to be gesturing towards the bench with around five minutes left to play at the same time Marcus Rashford was being replaced by Anthony Elanga.
It led to speculation from fans regarding Fernandes’ attitude. However, ESPN has cited sources to report that the Portugal international was merely seeking clarification over what his position on the pitch should be following the change.
Not even registering a score in 90min's player ratings, Fernandes’ frustrations and performance overall saw him widely singled out for criticism, including from former United captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville – both of whom were part of Sky Sports’ live coverage of the game.
Keane suggested the body language he saw from Fernandes was ‘nothing short of disgraceful’, while Neville labelled the number eight ‘embarrassing at time’s and also said, “That wasn't a captain's performance from a Manchester United player and I am sure Erik ten Hag will deal with that.”
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90min revealed on Monday that current club captain Maguire is one of a number of United players who have been informed that will be allowed to leave in the summer.
Although Ten Hag is believed to think he can work with Maguire, the £80m centre-back has been told is no longer a first choice and could yet sink further down the pecking order. United are willing to listen to offers but understand they would receive way less than they paid in 2019.
Maguire’s potential departure would open up the captaincy for somebody to take over permanently. Fernandes would be the clear favourite given how often he has led the team so far this season, but one report from the Daily Mail has claimed that was jeopardised by his behaviour at Liverpool.
The suggestion is there are reservations within the club over whether he has the ‘right attributes’ for the position full-time, while it is said even some of his teammates were left ‘irritated’ by his antics.