Steve McClaren, former assistant coach at Manchester United, has described Bruno Fernandes as a 'nightmare' in training and revealed a clash with the Portuguese star following a Carabao Cup defeat. Speaking to The Athletic, McClaren recounted the incident after United's 3-0 loss to Newcastle in November 2023, when Fernandes failed to acknowledge the fans.
The Clash Over Fan Appreciation
McClaren, who served under Erik ten Hag from 2022 to 2024, said: 'We only clashed once. He didn't clap the fans, so we had a bit of a row about that. I was more upset with the team and the players. It was bad, but the next day we kissed and made up. He is excellent with fans 99 per cent of the time.'
McClaren praised Fernandes's passion, comparing it to Roy Keane's intensity. He recalled telling Keane to calm down, which backfired, leading the coaching staff to encourage him to be himself. 'And Bruno is the same,' McClaren added.
Training 'Nightmare' and High Praise
McClaren explained that Fernandes's relentless drive makes him difficult to manage in training. 'When I used to have to be the referee in training, he's a nightmare. It's just passion. He's fit, he runs around, he scores, he assists, his numbers are phenomenal.' Despite the challenges, McClaren ranks Fernandes among the top five players he has coached in his 25-year career.
Since his £47 million move to Old Trafford in 2020, Fernandes has scored 107 goals and provided 106 assists. His leadership has been pivotal in securing Champions League football for next season, confirmed after a 3-2 win over Liverpool. The 31-year-old's future at United had been uncertain, but Mirror Football understands that Champions League qualification will likely keep him at the club.
McClaren recalled Fernandes's debut: 'I remember his first game at Old Trafford, he picked out long balls and diagonals. I thought, 'Missing link'. He wants to do everything. He's got scrolls of vision, that je ne sais quoi. I've seen things in training, you go, 'Wow'. His attitude, his professionalism is first class. He's first in, last away. Last on the pitch, doing shooting, practising all day to be better.'
