Robbie Fowler has branded Bruno Fernandes the biggest moaner he has ever seen, following his display at Wembley.
The Manchester United skipper is often criticised for his negative body language on the pitch, whether towards officials, opposition or quite often, his own team-mates. It was a similar story during the FA Cup semi-final with Brighton, with Liverpool legend Fowler making his feelings known on social media.
“Can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen someone moan on a pitch as much as Fernandes,” the Mirror Football columnist posted on social media.
It was a frustrating afternoon for United, who struggled to come to terms with Brighton’s fluid passing game and high press. After missing the midweek defeat to Sevilla, Fernandes was involved in a lot of the good moments for his side, but was also accused of play-acting after a clash with Pervis Estupinan.
The Portuguese midfielder was flattened by Estupinan and asked Craig Pawson to take action. However, he waved away those protests, with replays suggesting the contact was very minimal.
This came shortly after he did actually suffer an ankle injury, although his reputation preceded him with many in attendance believing he was trying his luck again.
“I thought he was Man United’s best player,” BBC pundit Alan Shearer said at half-time. “Certainly most of the things they’ve done well have gone through him. He’s in that position, demanding the ball, wanting the ball. Getting a shot away early.”
United legend Peter Schmeichel was also complimentary of Fernandes, although he did suggest that his game would be improved further without the on-field theatrics. “He’s very, very important to the Manchester United team,” the former Red Devils keeper explained.
“I think not playing on Thursday and seeing him here, there’s a difference when he plays. He’s the captain, he talks.
“He has that little bit of play-acting, which is annoying, I have to say. We all thought ‘get up’, but then you see the replay of his ankle and it was a bad one. But then he claimed to have been hit and he wasn’t really. If he could take that out of his game, it would be better for him and everyone else.”
The United skipper was withdrawn from the action during the first half of extra-time with scores still locked at 0-0. And he cut a frustrated figure as he made his way past Erik ten Hag and back onto the United bench.
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Fernandes hit back at critics - including Gary Neville - for the analysis of his attitude during games, claiming he is often misunderstood. “I kind of understand what’s going on behind that but I can’t control that. We all know the pundits have to say something,” he told Sky Sports last month.
“They have to give their work as most bad things they say, the more work they get sometimes. We just have to live with that but for me, it’s about my teammates being okay and happy with that. Whenever they are not, I like them to tell me and so I calm myself down.”
