The tension inside Old Trafford grew heavier after Manchester United’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham, and this time captain Bruno Fernandes found himself caught in the middle of the storm.
The Portuguese midfielder, normally known for shouldering responsibility, revealed that he was left both embarrassed and furious following a private exchange with manager Ruben Amorim in the aftermath of his late penalty miss.
United looked set for a last-gasp winner when awarded a spot-kick deep into stoppage time. As expected, Fernandes stepped up, just as he has done countless times before.
But on this occasion, Fulham’s goalkeeper guessed correctly and denied him, leaving United with only a point.
The miss was disappointing, but according to Bruno, the sting came not from the miss itself but from his manager’s harsh words at full-time.
“I know I should have scored, but what was said to me after the whistle went too far,” Bruno admitted in his post-match comments. “It left me embarrassed, and I won’t tolerate being spoken to like that anymore.”
Although Fernandes avoided repeating Amorim’s exact remarks, sources close to the dressing room suggest the coach criticized him for “lacking composure” and hinted that penalty duties might be reassigned.
For a player who has often been the one to step up in critical moments, the suggestion struck a nerve.
Bruno’s frustration was clear: “I’ve never hidden from responsibility. I’ve always done everything for this club and for my teammates. To be disrespected after a single mistake isn’t something I’ll accept.”
The fallout quickly spread beyond the pitch, with supporters split over who was in the right. Many fans stood firmly behind their captain, insisting that Amorim should be protecting, not attacking, the man who has carried United through some of their most difficult moments.
Social media lit up with posts warning Amorim that alienating Bruno could cost him the trust of the dressing room.
Others, however, argued the manager was justified, saying leadership means taking responsibility not just for successes but also for costly errors.
Gary Neville, never shy of weighing in on United controversies, added fuel to the debate. Speaking on Sky Sports, he criticized Amorim’s approach, saying: “Even if you’re upset, you protect your captain in public.
To undermine him after one mistake is dangerous. Bruno may have missed, but he’s still the heartbeat of that team.”
The situation leaves Amorim facing yet another headache early into his reign. Rather than uniting a fractured squad, the new boss now risks widening divides within the dressing room.
With results already inconsistent, tensions with his captain could prove damaging.
For Bruno, the line has been drawn — respect must remain intact. For Amorim, the clock is ticking; if he loses the faith of his leader, his position could unravel faster than anyone expected.
