Paul Scholes has leapt to the defence of Bruno Fernandes after Gary Neville and Roy Keane branded him a “disgrace” after his antics in Manchester United’s mauling at the hands of Liverpool.
Fernandes was seen frequently throwing his arms in the air in disgust during the game and Neville said his display was “embarrassing”.
“Bruno Fernandes is asking why it’s not him [coming off]. Honestly, some of his behaviour has been a disgrace, [even if] he’s been brilliant at times, his assists and goals,” Neville said on commentary.
The former right-back later added: “The second half has been a disgrace, a shambles, epitomised by Fernandes who has been embarrassing at times. It’s not their usual performance, spirit or form. [Erik ten Hag] will deal with it.”
“I start with the captain. You don’t throw your hands up, you run back. I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms up at team-mates and not running back. He got pushed in the chest and goes down holding his face. I think Ten Hag will deal with him very strongly in the next 48 hours. It was a disgrace.”
Roy Keane added: “Fernandes’ 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.”
But Keane and Neville’s former United teammate Scholes explained why he felt sorry for Fernandes, instead pointing the finger of blame at a couple of players who aren’t “at the level” required to play for the Red Devils.
“I actually feel sorry for him when he’s played,” Scholes told Premier League Productions after the match.
“He’s been pushed out to many positions to do a job for the team. He was on the left today, he’s been on the right, he’s played through the middle – he has been a little bit all over the place.
“You can’t say any of the players performed the way they should have done but I thought he was especially poor today, it wasn’t his greatest afternoon. But I think there are a couple of players in that team that when it comes to big games like this I don’t think they’re quite at the level.”
