"When Manchester United are suffering, he's always crying" – Pundit calls out Bruno Fernandes' behaviour on pitch
Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit has hit out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his lack of leadership skills.
Fernandes, who recently renewed his Red Devils deal until June 2027, was named his club's captain in July 2023. However, he has received a lot of scrutiny owing to his lack of composure in the recent past.
Under the former Udinese and Sporting CP man's captaincy, Erik ten Hag's side have played 56 games in all competitions. They have registered just 27 wins and 22 defeats since the start of last campaign.
During a recent interaction with online bookmaker topoffshoresportsbooks.com, Petit was asked to share his honest thoughts on the Manchester United captain. He replied (h/t Metro):
"For me, [he] is a player that highlights the problems at Manchester United. He's a good player, but most of the time, I don't like the way he behaves on the pitch. He acts like a diva. He doesn't help or encourage his teammates when the chips are down."
Lambasting the Portuguese star's behaviour on the pitch, Petit opined:
"When Manchester United are suffering, he's always crying; always showing his disappointment. That is not what you expect from your captain. You're expecting more encouragement, leadership. Someone who brings positivity."
Petit, who lifted the Premier League title for Arsenal in 1998, added:
"When you've got a guy like Bruno at the top of your club, a player who is supposed to be the leader of the club on and off the pitch, and he acts the way that he does, that is going to have a knock-on effect on players that can't be good."
Fernandes, who is yet to score a goal in four overall outings this season, will next be in action in United's league clash at Southampton on Saturday (September 14).
Manchester United star keen to stay at club despite links with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce
According to ESPN, Antony is determined to remain at the Old Trafford outfit despite recent interest from Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce. Although he is keen to feature more regularly at club level, the Brazilian's preference is not to move to Turkey before their deadline on Friday.
So far this season, Antony has featured in just one minute of first-team action for Manchester United. He is deemed below Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo in the club's pecking order.
Since leaving Ajax in a potential £86 million deal in 2022, the left-footed winger has registered 11 goals and five assists in 83 games for United.