GRAEME SOUNESS has renewed his rivalry with one of Manchester United’s top stars.
And this time it is captain Bruno Fernandes who is in the line of fire.
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Souness was speaking in William Hill Three Up Front Podcast alongside Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan.
Souness highlighted Fernandes’ general attitude on the pitch – and pointed out a moment that the now Man Utd captain didn’t like two seasons ago.
Souness said: “When you look at the leaders of modern football, one example is Manchester United, which is one of the greatest institutions in world football.
“The club’s captain is Bruno Fernandes. When they were 3-0 down against Liverpool a few seasons ago, he just threw in the towel… he’s the captain! In fact, he should still be contributing, running around with enthusiasm and helping your teammates.
“I don’t think Fernandes can change that aspect of himself – it’s part of him. When he shrugs his shoulders and opens his arms, it’s just him.”
He added: “I think leaders in the modern game tend to hide. They don’t want to expose themselves, be held accountable, or stand up and take the blame.
“When England was going through difficult times with the media, it was [Jude] Bellingham – one of the youngest members of the group – who was there talking to them on behalf of the team. He should have been one of the last ones to go up because they should have been the most experienced players.”
Fernandes was criticized throughout his time at United for his protests on the pitch.
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But he has enjoyed success at United since taking over the captaincy from Harry Maguire last summer – with the club winning the FA Cup under his management.
But disappointing league form also saw the club finish eighth in the Premier League.
Fernandes addressed criticism of his actions on the field in an interview in May with Portuguese channel A Bola, in which he said: “his [being demanding] It often conveys the image of a bad mood, because it comes from the way we experience the game, from how we are so intense… and intense players are difficult to understand.
“I’m aware that there are probably a lot of people who don’t like certain things I do, but in every locker room I go to, I always say that if a player doesn’t feel comfortable with the way I speak. he, the way I convey the message to you, I’m open to not doing it or trying to do it another way.
When asked if players had ever confronted him about his criticism on the field, Fernandes said: “I’ve never had that ‘don’t talk to me like that’ confrontation. I have the perception of players who feel very discouraged if someone talks to them. I talk to them.
“It’s a bit natural. I don’t think much about this subject. It often works out, it often goes wrong. There are people who like it, there are people who don’t like it. There are people who see pointing as bragging, because for us who are on the field It’s difficult to convey messages the way we’re talking about here. It’s practically impossible.
“Normally we have to use our arms more, gesture. We are too far away from each other to be able to understand the messages we want to convey to each other.”
Souness once had an infamous rivalry with former Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
Man Utd full pre-season squad
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Demot Mee, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Jonny Evans, Will Fish, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sam Murray, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon.
Advanced: Antony, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley.
Reported injuries: Tyrell Malacia
Abandoned: Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw.
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