Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, Premier League, Liverpool, Gary Neville
Bruno Fernandes has reportedly responded to claims he asked to be substituted in Manchester United's 7-0 mauling against Liverpool on Sunday.
Fernandes was heavily criticised by Gary Neville, both on co-commentary and in the Sky Sports studio, for his antics during the dismal defeat.
Wearing the captain's armband, the Portugal international was guilty of a horrific bit of play-acting when Ibrahima Konate's arm brushed his chest, while he also dived to try and get a penalty.
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Completing losing his head late on, a frustrated Fernandes was rinsed by 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic and also put his hands on a linesman in the capitulation.
Neville branded Fernandes "embarrassing" and "a disgrace", suggesting that he wanted to be taken off after Mo Salah scored his second and made it 6-0.
"Bruno Fernandes is stood in the centre circle with his arms raised asking: ‘Why is it me not coming off?'," Neville said. "Honestly, I have to say some of his behaviour in the second half has been a disgrace."
Anthony Elanga had come on for Marcus Rashford late on, with there still time for Roberto Firmino to get in on the act.
The Sky Sports cameras didn't quite pick up on Neville's observation but fan footage did emerge online and showed Fernandes' reaction.
Fernandes did not address the claim in his post-match interview with Geoff Shreeves but according to Neil Custis from The Sun, he has denied asking to be hooked.
Instead, as per the journalist, the former Sporting CP man was asking for clarification about what position he was playing after Elanga entered the fray.
He initially started on the left flank in the fixture, with Rashford playing through the middle and Wout Weghorst operating as a No.10.
The 28-year-old communicated this to United staff, explaining why he was gesticulating. BBC and the Manchester Evening News also ran with the story.
Fernandes has been United captain for large spells this season but his extremely petulant behaviour has led to calls for him to longer wear the armband going forward.
"Whatever you think of Harry Maguire, the club captain, you would not catch him behaving like this on the pitch," former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton said in a brutal column for the Daily Mail.
"Ten Hag dealt with the Cristiano Ronaldo problem.
"Now he needs to deal with Fernandes, starting with deciding whether he deserves to wear the armband in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Betis. I don’t think he does. Liverpool were fantastic and United were foul, and nobody embodied their deplorable display more than Fernandes."
