Bruno Fernandes provided a moment of magic to score a late goal against Fulham on Saturday.
The Portugal international was the hero of the day as his goal secured a much-needed victory for the Reds.
Ironically, it took some real quality to clinch a game that was devoid of real quality. The ball dropped to Fernandes outside the box before his precise effort drove past Bernd Leno and into the bottom corner.
Footage courtesy of TNT Sports
Bruno Fernandes criticism
A number of United players have been heavily criticism in recent weeks, but few have faced scrutiny like Fernandes. It all comes with the extra responsibility of being club captain and he knew that was on the cards when he took the armband.
However, I doubt Fernandes expected such a poor start to the season.
After United’s 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby, Roy Keane called for the captaincy to be taken from Fernandes.
“Today having watched him again I would take the captaincy off him 100 per cent,” Keane told Sky Sports. “I know it’s a big decision, obviously they changed the captaincy with Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material.
“He is a talented player no doubt about it. But what I saw today – we’ve discussed many times before, it was last season at Liverpool – his whinging, his moaning and throwing his arms up in the air constantly. It really isn’t acceptable. From what we saw today, I’m thinking I would take that off him.
“You have to start somewhere. We were talking about where do you start [fixing the problems] – the manager, board level. I would start with that because the manager is capable of doing that. Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but in terms of captain material he is the opposite to what I would want in a captain.”
Former teammate David de Gea was quick to defend Fernandes after his winner, with an ironic comment suggesting he isn’t the right man to captain the side.
Moreover, Juan Mata, who left United before Erik ten Hag’s arrival, also felt the need to show his support for Fernandes.
Fernandes uploaded a post to Instagram raving about Fernandes, writing: “Professional, committed, humble, hard working, talented, decisive, leader, respectful… and imperfect. Just like the rest of us. Always in my team.”
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