Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes at risk of missing Bournemouth clash

Manchester United could be without club captain Bruno Fernandes for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on the weekend, with Anthony Gordon's second-half strike enough to seal all three points for Eddie Howe's side.

United return to Old Trafford on Wednesday where they host Chelsea in a feisty looking encounter, as the pressure continues to build on Erik ten Hag

However, skipper Fernandes will need to tread carefully if he wants to play against Bournemouth just three days later.

That is because the Portugal international has already picked up four yellow cards this season and players will receive a one-match suspension if they accumulate five yellow cards in the first 19 league games of the campaign.

Fernandes was booked against Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City.

He will need to behave himself against the Blues to ensure he doesn't enter the referee's book on Wednesday.

Discussing the 29-year-old's performance against Newcastle, former United midfielder Paul Scholes gave a damning assessment.

"Look, he’s got fantastic ability, he can score a goal and make a goal, but I would love to be in the dressing room before a game and see what the manager is asking him to do," Scholes told Premier League Productions (via The Mirror)

"What position is he asking him to play? Where are you supposed to be on the football pitch? I see him as a No.10, it’s his best position as he can play a pass and he can get a goal.

"Where was he tonight? He was never in that position. I see him on the left, the right, sometimes he is the deepest Manchester United player, getting the goal off the goalkeeper.

"I don’t think that is healthy for the team. It upsets the formation and it upsets the way of playing. We don’t know, the manager might be telling him to do it, but it looks like he goes out and does what he wants on the field."

Topics: Manchester United, Football, Bournemouth, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag, Bruno Fernandes

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno