The Premier League is back this weekend and, we are more than ready to see the Red Devils battle it out against the Magpies. Fortunately for the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes will be joining their ranks and is currently gearing up for the match. It was feared the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder would have to self-isolate after being in close proximity to a Portugal team-mate who tested positive for COVID-19. The Portugal team-mate being Cristiano Ronaldo. However, recent reports reveal that Fernandes will indeed join the Red Devils, and what great news, as the Portuguese has proven himself to be indispensable to the team.
In merely 22 appearances last season, Fernandes scored 12 goals and provided eight assists for United – who ended the 2019/20 campaign in the fourth place. Many will agree that Manchester United have not managed to reestablish their former glory that was present in the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, one of England’s and Manchester United’s greatest managers. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has yet to prove himself to be as great as his predecessors.
Things do not seem to be going to plan and, fans may witness another disastrous season yet again. It was no less than a horror show when the Red Devils received the battering of their lives when Spurs tore them apart at Old Trafford before the international break. United failed to turn up for the game as they currently sit 16th in the table with two losses from their opening three games. Although the match on Saturday is the perfect opportunity for United to redeem themselves, they have already been hit with a major blow.
Solskjaer will have to deal with missing two of his striking options. Anthony Martial will have to start a three-game suspension for his red card against Tottenham. New signing Edinson Cavani has to remain quarantine and, Axel Tuanzebe is back to fitness again after a long injury layoff. The team morale doesn’t seem to be in the greatest condition either. After pictures of what seemed to be a heated argument between Solskjaer and Fernandes were released, many believed they had a serious falling out.
Fernandes later cleared up speculation by addressing the issue.
“First, [the media] said there was a discussion with the teammates, and as that didn’t sell, it was then with a teammate (reportedly Victor Lindelof), and as that didn’t work either, it was with Solskjaer. I believe it’s just a way of destabilizing the group a little bit.”
Fernandes also denies that he was angry about a half-time substitution in the Spurs match.
“When the coach told me that the game was over and that we would have many more [games] ahead, I understood that, of course. I was not satisfied with leaving, but I didn’t speak or say, anything at that moment that could harm the group,” Fernandes said. “Even after the game, the coach sent me a message to wish me good luck with the national team. He asked me and two or three other players if we thought we needed to offer some words of support to the group but, nobody wanted to speak because it wasn’t the best moment.”
Amidst this turmoil, Fernandes also made it clear that he is backing up his coach. “I just have to be grateful to the coach because he was the one who wanted me, he was the one who believed in me and, the tactics he uses are perfect for me,” Fernandes said. “So, don’t use me to make excuses, if someone wants to try to make trouble inside Manchester United, do not use my name or that of my colleagues or the coach. The atmosphere is good, obviously after a defeat we were sad, but we have to answer the next game.”
Under-performing stars the likes of Harry Maguire and Paul Pogba have been targeted for the traumatic match against Spurs, with Ed Woodward’s failure to sufficiently reinforce the Reds’ squad during the summer also consistently highlighted. Pogba has looked off-colour for a while now and has done himself no favours by dropping the ‘Real Madrid dream’ comment. Solskjaer is currently in the hot seat and, he must prove himself and his teams worth in the upcoming match. The Magpies are a force to be reckoned with and certainly not push-overs.
