Bruno Fernandes reaction to being substituted reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo
Bruno Fernandes was spotted barking orders at his Manchester United team-mates after being substituted during their FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
Erik ten Hag's side booked their place in June's showpiece event by beating the Seagulls on penalties. Neither side scored during the first 120 minutes of the game, with Brighton's Solly March missing in the shootout. Victor Lindelof scored the winning penalty.
Fernandes was replaced by Wout Weghorst in the 101st minute after a gruelling Wembley cup tie, but he continued to play a role from the touchline by giving advice to his team-mates. It was reminiscent of when Cristiano Ronaldo did the same in the Euro 2016 final, when Portugal defeated France 1-0 in Paris to win their maiden major honour.
Portugal went into that game as the underdogs and needed a big performance from captain Ronaldo, who was arguably the best player in the world at the time, to have any chance of lifting the trophy. Yet their hopes were hampered when Ronaldo limped out of the game in the 25th minute after picking up a knee injury.
Ronaldo was devastated, with France expected to go on and win the game. Ronaldo, though, responded to his injury by strapping up his knee and barking orders from the touchline. Former Swansea striker Eder went on to score an extra-time winner for Portugal.
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Ronaldo's coaching display has become a part of his legend... and the same could be said about Fernandes after his efforts on Sunday afternoon. United's vice-captain showed his leadership skills by constantly communicating with his team-mates from the touchline.
Cristiano Ronaldo coached Portugal at the Euro 2016 final after suffering an injury (Getty Images)What did you make of Bruno Fernandes' touchline antics? Let us know in the comments below!
Fernandes also gave his colleagues a pep talk at half-time in extra-time and ahead of the shootout. He and Antony were that animated on the touchline they were told to sit down by the fourth official, but it was all worth it in the end.
It's unclear what Fernandes said - or whether any of his advice was taken on board - but his behaviour on Sunday afternoon has reminded everyone of Ronaldo's passion in Paris seven years ago. It also confirms why he's Ten Hag's vice-captain.
There were calls for Fernandes to be stripped of the vice-captaincy during United's 7-0 humiliating defeat to Liverpool. The Portugal international was heavily criticised for gesturing to the bench, with United legend Gary Neville calling him an "embarrassment".
Yet Ten Hag stuck by Fernandes. "He’s playing a brilliant season," the United manager told reporters in March. "He’s had a really important role in why we’re in the position where we are, because he’s giving energy to the team, not only running a lot and at the highest intensity but the right way and right direction.
"He’s pointing and coaching players, he’s an inspiration for the whole team.
"But no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, we have to learn, I have to learn. He has to learn, he will because he’s intelligent, I’m happy to have Bruno Fernandes in my team and that he’s captain when Harry [Maguire, the club captain] isn’t on the pitch."
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