CHRIS SUTTON: Bruno Fernandes acted like a petulant child against Liverpool

Bruno Fernandes shoved the referee’s assistant. He acted as if his nose had exploded when caught in the chest by Ibrahima Konate. He dived to try to win a penalty from Alisson. He refused to track Stefan Bajcetic when beaten. 

He waved his arms in the air when Erik ten Hag did not substitute him. Bruno Fernandes, take a bow for one of the worst performances we have seen from a Premier League player, certainly from a captain. 

The Incredible Sulk racked up quite the rap sheet at Anfield. There was nothing professional about this behaviour. It was more befitting a petulant child, and the push on the assistant should result in a ban, no ifs and buts. 

Paolo Di Canio got 11 games in 1998, remember, and I wouldn’t disagree if Fernandes received the same punishment. This was shameful, embarrassing, disgraceful, whatever word you can conjure up. 

It is bad enough you are getting obliterated at Liverpool, but then you see the guy wearing the armband having a go at Ten Hag for not substituting him. Is he really the leader that everybody else is supposed to follow? 

Bruno Fernandes acted as if his nose had exploded when caught in chest by Ibrahima Konate

The Porutugse midfielder was also involved in arguments with the referee and his assistant

Erik ten Hag should strip the captaincy off Fernandes for his behaviour at Anfield

Whatever you think of Harry Maguire, the club captain, you would not catch him behaving like this on the pitch. Ten Hag dealt with the Cristiano Ronaldo problem. 

Now he needs to deal with Fernandes, starting with deciding whether he deserves to wear the armband in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Betis. I don’t think he does. Liverpool were fantastic and United were foul, and nobody embodied their deplorable display more than Fernandes. 

It was a night to forget for the Portuguese playmaker, who’s performance and attitude shown was also singled out by Sportmail’s IAN LADYMAN.

‘All the concerning signs were there. David de Gea moaning at Lisandro Martinez after the first goal went in. The young Brazilian Antony (goals this season: six) waving his arms around at Marcus Rashford (goals this season: 22) after losing possession and choosing not to chase back for goal number four.

‘And that’s before we come to the captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese is a talent. He’s also a baby. Great United captains down the years – the likes of Keane, Robson, Cantona, Bruce – did not always have their things their own way. Nobody is perfect. They all had bad days. But a captain’s armband brings with it a responsibility to lead, to set an example, to keep your head up.

‘Fernandes presented absolutely none of that at Anfield. His most notable contributions came not from his feet but from his mouth.’

Captain Bruno Fernandes showed no fight or leadership with his behaviour on the pitch

The Portuguese international was also highlighted by Roy Keane and Gary Neville during Sky Sports’ post-match analysis of the game.

Former United midfielder Keane said: ‘Fernandes’s body language today was disgraceful. He’s a really talented boy, he’s your captain. But his body language, waving his arms not running back, you wouldn’t be happy with him.’

‘Some of Fernandes’ behaviour in this half has been a disgrace,’ said Neville. 

Fernandes has deputised as United’s captain for the majority of the season in the absence of Harry Maguire who has seen his minutes limited under Erik ten Hag, but was one of his team’s worst performers on Sunday. 

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