Featured Image Credit: The Athletic & Alamy
Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, Premier League, Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal
Daniel Marland
Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, Premier League, Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has addressed his reputation as a 'moaner' and managed to destroy Nicolas Pepe in the process.
The midfielder joined United in January 2020 and is one of their most important players, although his form has dipped over the last year.
Fernandes is emotional on the pitch and it's been picked up on by pundits, which the 28-year-old believes is unfair.
Advert
He went on to break down how his performances were analysed compared to Pepe's when he joined Arsenal in 2019.
"He (Pepe) had some bad games and everyone was saying, 'He still has to adapt'," Fernandes told the Athletic, "but when Bruno was having a bad game, it was just because he was moaning or not focused on the game.
"For me, that was good, because it meant that I was ready and that’s why they were demanding so much from me."
Advert
Pepe is Arsenal's record signing and the Gunners splashed £72 million to secure his services from Lille three years ago.
The Ivory Coast international ended up being a huge disappointment however, managing just 27 goals in 112 games, and he joined Nice on a season-long loan last month.
He did manage to win the FA Cup in his debut season though, registering assists in the semi-final and final.
Advert
Fernandes touched on his 'moaning' at referees further and mentioned Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha doing the same.
Zaha is one of the Premier League's most-fouled players and Fernandes thinks it's only natural for players to do so.
He continued: "I play for Man United, so I know all the cameras are on our players, but everyone in the Premier League does that.
"At Crystal Palace, (Wilfried) Zaha is always moaning at the referee. It is because he gets fouled, so it is normal he moans at the referee. That’s normal! He wants his fouls and for the referee to give yellows."
Advert
SPORTbible Stories is the brand-new podcast from the SPORT team at LADbible. The first episode features a chat with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as he opens up on his departure from Turf Moor, what the future holds and the amazing story of the spin wheel for fines while in charge of the Clarets. You can watch the first episode here.