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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is navigating turbulent waters after receiving red cards in consecutive matches for the Red Devils. However, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has rallied behind Fernandes, suggesting the dismissals were unwarranted.
Speaking to the reporters after the midfielder was sent off in Manchester United's 3-3 draw with Porto in the UEFA Europa League at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday (October 3), Martinez averred (via United In Focus):
“I think Bruno Fernandes has a lot of experience, but I’ve seen a lot of football in my life And I’ve never seen two unfair red cards in consecutive games. Bruno is a focused player. He has a lot of experience. He knows perfectly well that this is part of football. [But] I don’t think he’s ever seen a red card in his career. Now he’s seen two!”
The 30-year-old midfielder's sending-off in the clash with Porto means he will miss the team’s next Europa League fixture against Fenerbahce on October 24, compounding Erik ten Hag’s recent woes.
However, Fernandes was not shown a red card in nearly five seasons at United until Tottenham visited Old Trafford on September 29. Although that decision was rescinded, his dismissal against Porto will stand.
Hence, the Manchester United gaffer also defended Fernandes, describing the two red cards as anomalies rather than signs of recklessness.
“The [red] card [against Tottenham was] quickly overturned for Bruno. So they acknowledge there was a mistake on Sunday, and I would say he was very unlucky against Porto. He gave everything to make a goal. He was in the right spot, and the player came from the blind side and he didn’t see him. So I wouldn’t address it as undisciplined,” Ten Hag pointed out in his post-Porto presser (via United In Focus).
The backing from his club and national team head coach underlines that despite these setbacks, Fernandes remains central to both setups.
Erik ten Hag confident in Manchester United’s backing despite poor start to season
Despite their troubled start to the Premier League season, Erik ten Hag has insisted he retains the support of Manchester United’s hierarchy. Following a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday (October 6), which marked United’s worst league start in decades, the manager acknowledged the need to improve while adding that his relationship with the club’s leadership remains strong.
“I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me [if not],” Ten Hag remarked, addressing speculation about his future (via The Guardian). We communicate very openly and transparently. We are all on board together, on one page.”
Ten Hag said there is pressure to “step up” but emphasized that United’s leadership sees his project as a long-term endeavor.
“It’s a long-term project, and we have to keep improving the process,” he explained.
With Manchester United currently sitting in 14th place, five points above relegation, Ten Hag is aware of the challenges ahead. He pointed to the need for more clinical finishing, saying:
“We have to be more ruthless, more of a killer instinct.”
