Bruno Fernandes has been labelled a ‘cheat’ and ‘pathetic’ after a clip of the Manchester United captain writhing around in agony to try and win a free-kick went viral.
The shameful example of the Portuguese star’s play-acting occurred during the closing stages of United’s defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
Not long after Harry Maguire equalised, Fernandes – whose parried shot led to the defender’s goal – received the ball and drove towards Fulham’s defence.
With scant options ahead of him, Fernandes took a left-footed shot from 30 yards which Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno pushed out.
But Fernandes inexplicably threw himself to the ground in mock pain despite what looked like minimal contact from Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic, who’d closed him down.
Bruno Fernandes has been slammed after a clip of the Manchester United captain feigning injury and writhing about on the ground during their defeat to Fulham went viral
With the score at 1-1, United were pushing for a winner against Fulham in stoppage time
After seeing a long-range shot saved, Fernandes (bottom right) went down despite there appearing to be minimal contact by Fulham’s Sasa Lukic
Referee Michael Oliver ignored Fernandes and his pleas for a foul as United play on ahead
Eventually, Fernandes gets back to his feet – with no sign of injury – and demands the ball
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Fernandes, clutching his ankle, appealed in vain for a free-kick from referee Michael Oliver, who tells him to get up as he jogs past.
But the United skipper continues to roll around on the turf despite his team-mates playing on ahead of him.
Eventually, when Fernandes finally realises no free-kick is going to be forthcoming, he gets back to his feet – apparently without any discomfort – and starts asking for the ball.
The attack eventually fizzles out and United would concede to Alex Iwobi in the seventh minute of stoppage time as Fulham claimed an unexpected win.
Fernandes raged at Oliver after the full-time whistle and was joined by manager Erik ten Hag in questioning some of the referee’s decisions during what was United’s 10th league loss of the season.
A clip of Fernandes feigning injury soon went viral on social media and sparked a backlash from United fans as well as rival ones.
‘Normally a big Bruno fan but this is PATHETIC,’ wrote one United supporter.
‘As a United supporter I can almost see why so many people say Bruno isn’t fit to be captain. I just think he’s really passionate though,’ tweeted another.
Fernandes argues with referee Michael Oliver during Saturday’s match, which United lost 2-1
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes protested at full time after his side’s defeat to Fulham
The United playmaker made his feelings clear as he remonstrated with the officials
The Portugal star was left distraught as United were dealt their first defeat in 2024
Another United fan said: ‘Moments like these are why Bruno Fernandes gets disrespected by rivals fans and referees hardly take him serious, forget his abilities Bruno would remain seen as a cheating sore loser to a lot.’
The fan went on to argue that Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Arsenal captain Martin odegaard and Barcelona star Pedri wouldn’t behave in the same way.
‘Maguire is a better captain than this guy,’ wrote an Arsenal fan on X, while a Liverpool supporter said: ‘Words cannot describe how much I hate this man.’
Fernandes, 29, rightly wins plaudits for his passing vision and contribution to United’s attack, with seven goals and seven assists so far this season.
But his petulance, sulking when things go badly and instances such as this hardly endear him.
Fans on social media made their feelings about Fernandes and his play-acting known
A defiant Ten Hag insisted the future is still bright for United despite a damaging defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.
It has plunged United’s hopes of Champions League qualification into doubt, which could have a bearing on Ten Hag keeping his job in the summer.
But the United boss said: ‘I said from the start of January, we are in finals. We won many and now we lost one.
‘After one defeat you have to see the bigger picture, and the bigger picture looks very good.
‘We have to catch up in certain positions and get the injuries back, then we will be more balanced and also strengthen the squad in the transfer windows.
‘You see there are many good players coming up and real high-potential players. They will be getting better so definitely we are going in the right direction. When we have the players available, we have a very good team.’
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