Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes demonstrated his protective instincts in a fiery post-match confrontation following his side's 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday. The Portuguese midfielder intervened to shield teammate Manuel Ugarte from former Red Devils academy graduate Hannibal Mejbri.
Post-Match Confrontation Erupts
Footage captured by supporters shows the moment tensions threatened to boil over immediately after the final whistle. Hannibal Mejbri, who left Manchester United for Burnley in 2024 for an initial fee of around £5.5 million, appeared to invade Ugarte's personal space in a clear act of provocation.
Fernandes, who had been substituted on the hour mark, swiftly stepped in to defuse the situation. The United skipper was seen forcefully pushing the Tunisia international away from Ugarte before casting a stern glance at his former midfield colleague.
Fernandes Leads Ugarte to Safety
Keeping a firm hand on Ugarte's shoulder, Fernandes then guided the Uruguayan midfielder towards the tunnel, ensuring the altercation went no further. Defender Lisandro Martinez also expressed his disapproval, appearing to deliver a verbal rebuke to Mejbri as the teams separated.
The flashpoint appeared to be the culmination of an ongoing feud between Ugarte and Mejbri throughout the match. Earlier in the game, Ugarte had mockingly patted Mejbri on the back after the Burnley player received a yellow card for diving.
Match Context and Fletcher's Debut
The heated clash overshadowed what was a significant day for United, with Darren Fletcher taking charge of his first match as caretaker manager. The result did not go his way, despite United taking a lead through Benjamin Sesko's second goal of the game, assisted by Patrick Dorgu following a precise pass from Ugarte.
Ugarte, starting alongside Casemiro, delivered one of his best performances of the season during his 84-minute stint before being replaced by Shea Lacey. Burnley's equaliser came via a spectacular Jaidon Anthony strike, earning the Clarets a memorable point.
Fletcher later explained his decision to substitute Fernandes, confirming it was a pre-meditated plan due to the player's recent injury. "Bruno had an injury, that we have to respect, and it's a long season as well," said Fletcher, referencing the midfielder's recent 17-day absence with a hamstring problem.
The incident highlighted Fernandes's leadership role at Old Trafford and served as a reminder of Mejbri's fiery character, once touted as a future United midfield mainstay. It remains to be seen if the former academy star will be more cautious choosing his battles against his old club in future encounters.
