26 July 2023 , 13:49
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Angel Gomes has revealed his ex-Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes jokingly text him angry emojis after England beat Portugal at the Under-21 European Championship.
Fernandes is famed for his 'win at all costs' attitude and while it may rile some fans and pundits, there's a strong change it was that kind of mentality that inspired Erik ten Hag to hand him the armband after stripping Harry Maguire of it. However, he was dignified enough to let Gomes know he was thinking of the midfielder after England's win.
It must be said, it wasn't exactly a touching, heartfelt congratulatory message - instead just a string of emojis, but the fact Fernandes sent anything at all to a player he is no longer teammates with is a testament to the Portugal international.
“Bruno sent me a message," Gomes told the Athletic. "It was just a lot of angry emojis. I just couldn’t stop laughing," he adds, before revealing he sent back a series of laughing emojis to United's new skipper. The England under-21 international went on to explain how the pair formed a stellar relationship during their shared time at Old Trafford.
Gomes also gave fans an insight into what Fernandes is like as a person up close, adding: "Who he is on the pitch is someone that wants to win. Off the pitch, he is a completely different person: one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet."
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Fernandes has often faced intense criticism for the way he conducts himself on the pitch and had his credentials as a captain called into question. Just recently, Graeme Souness was scathing in his assessment of the 28-year-old.
Speaking on the Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast, the Scot claimed: "He is obviously not a leader, it's as plain as the nose on the end of your face he is not a leader. His attitude when they went 3-0 down at Liverpool was appalling.
Bruno Fernandes and Angel Gomes were briefly teammates at Man UnitedMirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here.
"I said at the time Simon, you would not want to be in the trenches with him, simple as."
Gomes', who undeniably knows Fernandes better than Souness, gave a different account which would suggest there's more to the former Sporting star than what fans and pundits see on the pitch.
Ten Hag is clearly in agreement with Gomes given he handed Fernandes the role of skipper and has since heaped immense praise on him. "I chose Bruno because he is a great inspiration. He is the example," the United boss explained.
"He always wants to be a better football player, working very hard to give his maximum performance. So he is the mirror for many players and he is a good social connector."