Fernandes booked for disagreeing with Bournemouth defeat Photo: Reuters/Molly Darlington
Nine months ago when Manchester United fell Before the humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, social media and Gary Neville claimed that captain Bruno Fernandes had asked to be substituted during his predicament.
These were unsubstantiated claims that were quickly denied by the club and player, although as Erik ten Hag prepares to return his wilted side to the scene of the crime next Sunday, there will be no danger of history – or supposed history – repeating itself.< /p>
The Portugal international will be suspended for the visit to Anfield after a petulant 84th-minute booking for dissent during a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
It was his fifth yellow card in career. season, and it was completely unnecessary given that the result had already been decided here and the United captain knew he was one booking away from suspension.
Craig Burley, former Scotland international Now the ESPN pundit certainly didn't hold back in his analysis of this particular captain's role.
“Your captain knows his manager is under pressure and knows it's Liverpool next week and knows he's yellow due to suspension,” he wrote on social media X.
“Detained for dissent and constant whining. Bruno Fernandes is a disgrace.”
A stone-faced Ten Hag refused to go into any detailed analysis of Fernandes after the debacle, other than admitting that losing the game was far more damaging than losing Bruno in the match with Liverpool.
But the fact remains that Fernandes' behavior and inconsistency are in many ways a reflection of the current malaise afflicting the club as a whole.
When he is good – as he was in Wednesday's comfortable 2-1 win over Chelsea – then United tend to do the same. Equally, when his form and behavior decline, United tend to follow suit.
That was certainly the case here, as his errant pass allowed Bournemouth to score the first goal in three goal, which was supposed to be among the division's losers.
The punishment for dissent summed up a regrettable display by Fernandes and United. Photo: Getty Images/Oli Scarff
With left-back Sergio Reguilon instructed to play in a more advanced position, Fernandes often seemed to find himself in the left-back position, from where he conceded the opening goal, and this tactic was one of many that didn't work for the team. Ten Hag and United in this case.
But as so often happened when United faced difficulties, it was Fernandes' attitude that let him and his team-mates down, culminating in his late booking.
At one point late in the second half, he allowed the game to continue around him, chasing referee Peter Banks in protest at the latest perceived injustice to him and his team.
This passion and emotion makes Fernandes a vital cog in Ten Hag's team when they are playing well and luck is running its course. However, in times of need, these emotions can escalate into indiscipline and self-harm.
Former Old Trafford captain Neville, in his self-appointed role as spokesman for all of United, was a frequent critic. Fernandes on such occasions, although given the inconsistency of their ranks this season, it's hard to imagine Ten Hag's side would be better off without their playmaker.
It will be interesting, however, who captains the team next week when Ten Hug has so far steadfastly refused to reinstate Harry Maguire to his previous position, despite the England centre-half rehabilitating himself as a player under his leadership.
Luke Shaw may well be the favorite for the position. that role on Sunday, although the debate is sure to intensify over whether Ten Hag can do everyone, including Fernandes himself, a favor by relieving him of that responsibility in the long term.
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