BRUNO FERNANDES denied reports of a bust-up with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – but did admit he was ‘unhappy’ to be hooked against Tottenham.
There were claims the Manchester United star lashed out at team-mates before his half-time substitution during the 6-1 thrashing by Tottenham.
Bruno Fernandes denied reports off a bust-up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 6-1 defeat to TottenhamCredit: EPA
The Portugal international, who has spent most of the last fortnight with his national team, has been at the centre of rumours he has lost faith in his Norwegian boss following the club’s poor start to the season.
But he broke his silence to insist his manager’s tactics are ‘perfect’ and rubbish suggestions of a dressing-room rant during the Spurs capitulation.
January-signing Fernandes, 26, told Portugal’s Sport TV: “I’ve only got gratitude for the manager because he was the one who wanted me and believed in me.
“The tactics he uses are perfect for me.
“It’s true the manager decided to take me off in the Spurs match, but he told me it was because the game was over and we’d have a lot more to go for.
“Of course I wasn’t happy about being substituted but I understood it.
“I didn’t speak out or say anything that could prejudice the rest of the team.”
Trailing 4-1 and down to ten men against Jose Mourinho’s side, Solskjaer took off Fernandes and Nemanja Matic at the break, throwing on Fred and Scott McTominay to shore up the midfield.
The Portugal star opened the scoring after two minutes but was dragged off at the break with his side 4-1 downCredit: Getty – Pool
Serge Aurier added a fifth and Harry Kane completed the demolition job with a penalty 11 minutes from time.
Unsurprisingly, the result made for a rotten atmosphere afterwards.
Fernandes, who scored the opening goal from the penalty spot after two minutes, added: “After the game the manager sent me a message wishing me good luck with my games with Portugal.
“In the dressing room at the end of the game he asked me and two or three other players if we thought we needed to say something to the team, offer words of support, but no one wanted to speak because it wasn’t the best moment.
“If anyone want to create confusion at Manchester United don’t use my name or that or my team-mates or manager.
“The mood is good and obviously we’re left sad when we lose, but now we have to respond in the next game.”
Man Utd could be without Bruno Fernandes for four matches under UK rules after Ronaldo’s positive coronavirus test
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
