Bruno Fernandes has been dubbed the ‘worst captain’ by fans on social media after his dismissal in Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Porto on Thursday night.
The 30-year-old was sent off in the 81st minute, just days after he’d received his marching orders in the club’s chastening 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
That red card has since been rescinded but, with United needing a late goal in Portugal, they were forced to cope without their skipper.
United went 2-0 up after goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, only for Porto to then turn the match around following an effort from Pepe and brace from Samu Omorodion.
Bruno Fernandes has been blasted by fans on social media after Man Utd’s 3-3 Europa League draw with Porto
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Harry Maguire eventually scored a late equaliser for United to prevent them from crashing to defeat.
But fans on social media have ripped into Fernandes after his red card came close to costing his side.
“Bruno Fernandes is genuinely one of the worst captains I’ve ever seen. Zero examples of leadership on the pitch,” said one user.
“Bruno Fernandes is not captain material. He sulks, complains too much and sometimes makes rash decisions. It was suitable for him to wear the band cause he was the best player in the team at some point,” raged a second.
“Bruno Fernandes is the worst captain that Manchester United has ever had. The epitome of poor leadership,” blasted a third.
Another hit out at the United star by saying: “Bruno Fernandes in the worst captain Man Utd have ever had.”
A fifth said: “Bruno Fernandes might be the worst captain in the world ngl.”
And a sixth remarked: “Well whether he’s a great footballer or not (I think hugely overrated), I have to say I think Fernandes is an awful captain. No leadership whatsoever!”
Fernandes is undoubtedly a talented player.
He has been one of the best signings of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, having been largely consistent since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
But the brutal truth is the matter that his performance levels have dipped ever since he replaced Maguire as captain last year.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has opened up after the disappointing draw.
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Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second time as Man Utd drew with Porto in their Europa League clash
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And the United boss has lamented his side’s defending, with the 54-year-old saying: “We started the game very good, we dominated, scored two good goals, but then we lost control.
“So the start was good, the middle part was not good, and then we finished very good.
“It’s a tough place to go, so coming back from 3-2 we get the equaliser, which is good for the spirit.
“You see again that the team has a really strong character, but the middle part, the defending, we have to improve.”
Bruno Fernandes had already been sent off by the time Harry Maguire scored a dramatic late goal in Man Utd’s 3-3 draw with Porto
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On why his side relinquished control, he added: “First of all, we must be better on the ball.
“[We needed to continue] like the first part: keep switching where we had our free players.
“We had a good plan – in our half-spaces we had our free players. So use them and more goals will come.”