From Man City's interest to a Jorge Mendes intervention - the inside story of Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes transfer coup

01.04.2022 - 13:01 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The clank of the studs could be heard trudging up the sloped Stretford End tunnel towards the modest home dressing room.

Manchester United were 4-1 down at the interval to Tottenham and, in the away dressing room, Jose Mourinho was preparing his players to inflict a joint-record defeat on United. In the room he used to hold court in, a compatriot cut loose.

Whatever happened between the four walls is still uncertain, but something occurred involving Bruno Fernandes. One suggestion was he rowed with Nemanja Matic and another was Fernandes turned on Harry Maguire over his calamitous defending. Fernandes and Matic were both substituted and kept the expelled Anthony Martial company.

Read more: Bruno Fernandes signs new contract

The simple spin for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was Fernandes was withdrawn in a damage limitation measure, although his delivery was as unconvincing as a part-time bowler. Eleven days later, Fernandes addressed the issue.

"First, it was a discussion with teammates," he told the Portuguese media.

"As it did not stick, it was a discussion with only one teammate (Victor Lindelof), as it did not stick now, it is the discussion with Solskjaer. I believe it is a way to destabilise the group. What was said is in no way true.

"I was replaced at half-time, it is true, by technical option. The coach told me that the game was almost over and that we would have a lot of games ahead of us. Got it.”

Fernandes lashed in the winner in United’s next game up at Newcastle and, three days later, he was informed he would be captaining the club against Paris Saint-Germain, his reaction of pleasant surprise captured during the Zoom call. Got it.

Other esteemed players might have been more cryptic back in the sanctuary of their