Bruno Fernandes caught on camera having tense exchange with Aston Villa fans during Man Utd defeat
Bruno Fernandes delivered a cutting response to Aston Villa supporters after becoming the target of explicit abuse during Manchester United’s defeat at Villa Park, offering a flash of defiance on an afternoon that ended in concern for the club’s captain.
The Portugal international started Sunday’s Premier League clash as United slipped to a 2-1 loss, but his involvement was cut short before the interval after he appeared to sustain a worrying injury.
Fernandes was withdrawn at half-time by head coach Ruben Amorim, a decision that immediately raised alarm given the midfielder’s importance and near-unbroken record of availability.
When Fernandes emerged from the tunnel for the second half, he did so wrapped in a thick purple coat to guard against the cold, taking a seat on the bench near the United dugout.
It was there, rather than on the pitch, that the 31-year-old found himself at the centre of further attention as Villa supporters positioned behind the technical area directed a stream of X-rated chants and insults in his direction.
Rather than rising to the provocation, Fernandes appeared to relish the exchange.
Smiling broadly, the United captain turned towards the crowd and delivered a remark that quickly quietened several of his most vocal critics.
Bruno Fernandes snapped at Aston Villa fans during Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat on Sunday
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“You sing more for me than for your team,” he said, before adding: “Don’t be angry because I always score against you.”
The moment encapsulated Fernandes’ combative edge, a trait that has long divided opinion among opposition supporters but endeared him to those inside Old Trafford.
Even on an afternoon where United struggled to impose themselves and ultimately left with nothing, their captain showed a willingness to confront hostility head-on.
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The incident, however, was overshadowed by the growing concern over Fernandes’ fitness.
The midfielder has built a reputation as one of the most durable players in European football since arriving at United back in 2020, rarely missing matches through injury and often playing through knocks.
His early withdrawal, therefore, set alarm bells ringing.
Amorim admitted after the match that he fears Fernandes could be sidelined, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.
“I think it’s a soft tissue,” the United manager said.
“He’s going to lose some games, I don’t know for sure. Let’s see. He is a guy that is always fit, so we can recover quite well. But I don’t know.”
Bruno Fernandes could be sidelined for the foreseeable future following his injury in Manchester United’s defeat to Aston Villa
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United’s medical staff will now assess whether the injury threatens Fernandes’ availability during a demanding run of fixtures, with Amorim already grappling with inconsistency and a squad still adapting to his methods.
Any prolonged absence for the captain would represent a significant setback, not only in terms of creativity but leadership.
Meanwhile, Amorim also said that he felt United were unlucky to lose against Villa.
“I think we were the better team today,” he stated.
“We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno, but, during the game, even without him, we were the better team.
“We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no-one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result.”
