Manchester United fans have made their feelings perfectly clear on Bruno Fernandes after the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
The Red Devils punched their ticket to the FA Cup final after Erik ten Hag’s men avoided an upset at the hands of Coventry City in the semi-finals last month.
Manchester United led 3-0 against Coventry City before they capitulated in regular playing time, with the Red Devils eventually winning the match on penalties.
Manchester City, on the other hand, secured their place in the final after Bernardo Silva scored a second-half winner against Chelsea in the semi-finals at Wembley.
United and City met in the FA Cup final last season and Erik ten Hag’s side walked away empty-handed after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford has been shrouded in mystery after a turbulent second season, with United finishing eighth in the Premier League table.
Ahead of the FA Cup final, reports emerged that the United boss would be sacked whether or not the Red Devils win or lose against City at Wembley.
Fernandes steps up for Man Utd in FA Cup final
Bruno Fernandes showed his immense class – and importance – for Manchester United with his stunning FA Cup performance against Manchester City.
The 29-year-old United midfielder has faced criticism this season over his form and lack of consistency at times, despite remaining an integral figure in the first team.
Fernandes has also raised eyebrows over his antics on the field after Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag awarded him the United captaincy last summer.
Despite not performing at the highest level that fans have come to expect from him, Fernandes still scooped the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award this season.
Fernandes answered his critics and delivered a superb showing in the FA Cup final, with the Portuguese midfielder stepping up with a captain’s performance.
The United captain started the match in an advanced attacking role in the absence of a striker, with Rasmus Hojlund placed on the bench for the FA Cup final.
United stunned City in the first half at Wembley after Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a howler from Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega.
Fernandes then played his part in United’s second before half-time, with Marcus Rashford playing a superb ball and picking out Alejandro Garnacho on the right.
Garnacho found Fernandes in the centre and the United captain played a first-time pass to Kobbie Mainoo, who burst into the box and slotted the ball into the net.
Outside of his attacking output, Fernandes showed his incredible workhorse engine and added to United’s overall performance where and when he could on the pitch.
Man Utd fans react to Fernandes vs Man City
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, hailed Fernandes’ seminal performance in the FA Cup final.
Red Devils supporters mocked Kevin De Bruyne for being pulled off in the second half and argued the City playmaker was completely outperformed by Fernandes.
“[Kevin De Bruyne was] cooked by Bruno and hooked when the whole world was watching, the history books will show,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “Bruno Fernandes has shown KDB levels today.”
A third tweeted: “Big-match Kev running off the pitch [because] Bruno is outperforming him, love to see it.”
“Bruno Fernandes is balling out and De Bruyne having a mare and getting subbed off after 56 [minutes]. The online discourse is going to be a lot,” another posted.
While a fifth wrote: “I never want to hear Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne comparisons again, please.”
And a sixth argued: “If Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes swapped clubs, KDB wouldn’t achieve half of what Bruno has at Manchester United stat-wise, the same can’t be said with Bruno, he would thrive at City. Man Utd fans need to show more respect for their players.”
A seventh commented: “Comparing De Bruyne to Bruno Fernandes is nothing short of sacrilege! We’ve entertained these debates for far too long it’s blatantly clear who the best player is.”