Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was embroiled in a heated exchange with Aston Villa supporters during the Red Devils' Premier League defeat on Sunday, with cameras capturing the moment from the dugout.
Dugout Drama Captured On Camera
The incident occurred after the Portuguese midfielder, who has a prolific scoring record against Villa, was forced off with an injury during the first half at Villa Park. Taking a seat among the substitutes with his hood up, Fernandes turned his attention to home fans who were reportedly laughing in his direction.
Fernandes was heard retorting: "You sing more for me than for your team." He followed this with a smiling jab, adding: "Don't be angry because I score always against you." The Villa supporters responded with a sarcastic cheer before a member of United's staff guided the player back to face the pitch.
Injury Blow Compounds United's Misery
The verbal sparring proved a rare bright spot for Fernandes on a dismal day for his team. Goals from Morgan Rogers and Matheus Cunha sealed a 2-0 victory for Unai Emery's side, their tenth consecutive win, leaving United empty-handed.
To make matters worse, the 31-year-old playmaker received a worrying injury prognosis post-match. United's interim manager, Ruben Amorim, confirmed the issue is a soft tissue injury, stating Fernandes "is going to lose some games" and could be ruled out for around a month.
This compounds United's midfield crisis, with young star Kobbie Mainoo also sidelined. "We will see. No excuses, we need to win the next game," Amorim added.
Fernandes' Stellar Record Against Villa
The exchange perhaps stemmed from Fernandes' known prowess against the Midlands club. He has scored more goals against Aston Villa (seven) than any other opponent in his career, registering those strikes and three assists in just 13 appearances.
His early withdrawal meant he was unable to add to that tally during this fixture. Despite his absence, former United captain Gary Neville argued the team performed well, suggesting defensive lapses and missing personnel like Harry Maguire cost them the match.
Neville did note a tactical shift from Amorim, who has abandoned a previous five-at-the-back system in the last two games, calling it "a good thing" for the team's development.
