Manchester United’s star midfielder Bruno Fernandes is set to start Saturday evening’s Premier League match against West Ham on the bench.
Fernandes, 26, joined United in January from Sporting Lisbon in a deal which cost the Red Devils £49.5m, as per Transfermarkt.
Since the talented midfielder’s arrival in Manchester less than 12-months ago, Fernandes has been directly involved in 35 goals in just 37 appearances.
United’s number-18’s on-field contributions cannot be underestimated as the Portuguese midfielder, dubbed a ‘Magnifico’ continues to become a modern day Old Trafford legend.
As his side are currently preparing to face-off against David Moyes’ West Ham in Saturday’s late afternoon kick-off, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opted to bench his star-midfielder.
Solskjaer’s decision is likely to be non-form related as the Norwegian will be all too aware that his side travel to Germany next week to face RB Leipzig in a Champions League group stage shootout.
In light of Fernandes’ demotion to the bench, midfield partner Paul Pogba and new-signing Donny van de Beek are both set to start.
Ahead of this afternoon’s exciting match, pockets of United fans have taken to their social media to give their thoughts on Solskjaer’s decision to exclude Fernandes.
Bruno & Rashford finally get a rest pic.twitter.com/0nfTGsQbcj
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) December 5, 2020
Interesting team selection but I don’t mind a lot of it! We need to learn to cope without Bruno here and there no problem with that! VDB more than capable. Weird that Fred isn’t even in the squad unless injured and good to see Pogba get a start. Big game for him. LETS GO!!!
— 🔰 Flex 🔰 (@FlexUTD) December 5, 2020
I need a medic, I need a medic, Bruno Fernandez is on bench.😭 pic.twitter.com/ldSXhnTOE7
— C.E.O Brezz Enterprise⚡ (@_chimdi_) December 5, 2020
Checking the Manchester United line-up and seeing Ole benched Bruno Fernandes after I triple captained him in my FPL #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/vlJVI5ju7u
— E (@iamOkon) December 5, 2020
Bruno on bench, Agent Rice Masterclass coming up pic.twitter.com/tIszR48KBV
— ODOGWŪ🦅⚓ (@_gaiuss) December 5, 2020
More nervous tonight than i have been for a while.
United without Bruno. 🙈🙏
— UTFR 🇾🇪 (@ManUtd_HQ) December 5, 2020
Bruno Fernandez on the bench pic.twitter.com/kyyyYPz2K1
— ᗯiz. (@0jFreed) December 5, 2020
I think tonight we’re going to see just how important bruno is
— Ian Atkinson (@IanAkki07) December 5, 2020
Read more: Loads of Man Utd fans react as Pogba, Henderson and Van de Beek start vs West Ham
