Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Alleged Criticism of Bruno Fernandes Appears Unfounded and Lacks Credible Source
In the build-up to Manchester United’s Europa League final clash against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, a wave of controversy has surfaced surrounding former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Reports have circulated online suggesting that Solskjær harshly criticized current United captain Bruno Fernandes, calling for him to be benched in the high-stakes match.
According to these unverified claims, Solskjær allegedly described Fernandes as a “pathetic loser” and stated that including him in the starting lineup would be equivalent to “handing Spurs the trophy.” He also reportedly said Fernandes “drags the entire team down with his weak mentality.”
However, this explosive story appears to be either entirely fabricated or purely speculative, as there is no credible or verifiable source to confirm that Solskjær made such statements.
The tone of the alleged remarks is completely out of character for the Norwegian coach, who, during his time at Old Trafford, was known for maintaining a respectful and composed demeanor, even under extreme criticism. Solskjær rarely, if ever, made direct attacks on players publicly, particularly not in such a personal or harsh manner.
Furthermore, the criticism aimed at Fernandes seems deeply disconnected from the midfielder’s actual performance this season. Bruno Fernandes has been one of Manchester United’s most consistent and influential players, once again proving his worth across all competitions.
With 17 goals and 14 assists under his name this season, he has played a pivotal role in guiding the team through several challenging fixtures. His performances have earned him the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a fourth time, placing him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the club’s history books.
Despite these accomplishments, Fernandes has faced occasional criticism for his displays in big matches—such as during Euro 2020, where he struggled for Portugal and was eventually dropped.
However, isolated performances do not reflect his overall contribution or leadership qualities at United.
Current manager Ruben Amorim has publicly backed Fernandes, praising his work ethic, commitment, and influence on the team. Amorim emphasized that Fernandes’ availability and intensity in matches are vital to the club’s chances of success, especially in high-pressure games like the Europa League final.
In summary, the inflammatory remarks attributed to Ole Gunnar Solskjær do not hold up to scrutiny and seem inconsistent with both his public persona and the reality of Fernandes’ form.
Until a reliable source confirms otherwise, the story appears to be nothing more than a viral rumor aimed at stirring controversy on match day.
