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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Bruno gestures wildly on the pitch</li><li>Often comes under fire for theatrics</li><li>Midfielder defends polarising actions</li></ul>

Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes jumps to the defence of his polarising on-field theatrics

Premier League

Manchester United

Ipswich

The Red Devils midfielder has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bruno-fernandes-man-utd-best-player-urgently-needs-back-up-liverpool-suspension/blt1670103ef02e7495" target="_blank">often come under fire</a> for arm movements and facial expressions that often look petulant and even childish on the pitch. Some pundits have used those acts to raise questions about <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/fernandes-stripped-man-utd-captaincy-sinking-ronaldo-level-behaviour-liverpool-disgrace/bltbd4167a6116caafa" target="_blank">his suitability as United captain</a>, with a damning example being during <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/disgraceful-bruno-fernandes-sub-man-utd-gary-neville-7-0-liverpool/bltf79905876dbfa9f0" target="_blank">last season's drubbing by Liverpool</a>. But Fernandes has defended his actions and explains that they come from 'intensity', as well as a general need to communicate across opposite ends of the pitch.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 29-year-old told Portuguese outlet <a href="https://www.abola.pt/selecao/noticias/bruno-fernandes-mau-feitio-os-jogadores-intensos-sao-dificeis-de-entender-2024031819170735649" target="_blank">A Bola</a>: "This [being demanding] often conveys the image of bad temper, because it comes from the way we experience the game, from how we are so intense... and intense players are difficult to understand. I have this notion 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 talk to him, with the way I convey the message to you, I am open to not doing it or to trying to do it in another way."I [have] never had that 'don't talk to me like that' confrontation. I have had the perception of players who feel very down if someone talks to them or if I talk to them. It's a little natural. I don't think much about this issue. Many times it goes well, many times it goes badly. There are people who like it, others who don't like it. There are people who see pointing as bragging, because for us in the field it is difficult to convey messages in the way we are here talking. 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."

WHAT FERNANDES SAID

While Fernandes' theatrics have seen his leadership come under question, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/not-captain-material-erik-ten-hag-whinging-moaning-bruno-fernandes-man-utd/bltd9ae7b17da888afa" target="_blank">not least by former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane</a>, his captaincy abilities were clear for all to see in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/man-utd-player-ratings-vs-liverpool-amad-diallo-marcus-rashford/blt94a1dbfe90ee2a5e" target="_blank">United's thrilling FA Cup victory over Liverpool</a> at the weekend. Despite sustaining an injury Fernandes played the full 120 minutes, finishing at centre-back as United tried - successfully - to find a winner. Clips even surfaced of him rushing over to console Marcus Rashford after his miss late in regulation time.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The moment when Bruno went over to Rashford after he missed that chance in the last seconds and told him to keep his head up. Yeah, that's a proper captain right there. ❤️<a href="https://t.co/7P5jFzWpKx">pic.twitter.com/7P5jFzWpKx</a>— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) <a href="https://twitter.com/UtdFaithfuls/status/1770134142123950132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fernandes was called up by Roberto Martinez for Portugal's latest squad, as they prepare to take on Sweden and Slovenia in friendlies. That first clash takes place on home soil on Thursday evening.

WHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDES?

Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes jumps to the defence of his polarising on-field theatrics | Goal.com

Bruno Fernandes has explained why he so often gesticulates wildly when on the field for Manchester United and Portugal.

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