Portuguese media react to Bruno Fernandes display after Denmark 1-0 Portugal, unusual claim made

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes played in Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the first-leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash.

Bruno Fernandes has been in red-hot form for Manchester United in recent weeks, with seven goals and assists in his last three games for the Reds.

However, he was unable to repeat that in action for Portugal on Thursday night, who were underwhelming as they lost 1-0 against Denmark.

It was Fernandes’ teammate at United, Rasmus Højlund, who scored the only goal of the game to give the Danes an advantage heading into the second-leg on the weekend.

The two teams will once again face off on Sunday evening, with the victor progressing to the semi-finals of the Nations League.

Portuguese media react to Fernandes display in Denmark 1-0 Portugal

Fernandes played 90 minutes against Denmark but was unable to create any chances and registered just one shot.

The United star was majorly involved, with 84 touches in the game, but like his teammates, he was majorly ineffective in the clash.

Portuguese outlet Abola rated Fernandes’ performance as a 4/10, and it was claimed that he was “too static” in the game, which sounds unusual considering how the United captain usually plays.

They wrote: “He really came into his own in the 22nd minute, when he shot across goal, but without any danger, in his first attempt to equal Rui Costa’s 26 goals for the National Team.

“Before and after that move, however, he was too static. He wasn’t the great Bruno of Manchester United , far from it.”

Ex-Portuguese futsal player Ricardinho also slammed the midfield of Portugal, which consisted of Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain duo, Vitinha and Joao Neves.

“With the quality we have in midfield we are not capable of having the ball,” he said. “With the offensive power we have we do not shoot at goal, the first substitutions are defenders… So poor, so bad. All that remains is to have hope at home.”

United cannot afford to have a jaded Fernandes

United fans rarely witness a Fernandes performance where he can be labelled as “too static” as he is often everywhere on the pitch, even on a bad day.

Perhaps that suggests that the United captain needs some rest. So far this term, he has started every game he’s been available for apart from the Carabao Cup game against Barnsley.

Read More: Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Rasmus Højlund’s “SIUU” celebration during Portugal vs Denmark

The only rest he has received is from his red card suspensions. Thursday night’s game meant that he has also not missed a single minute on the pitch in Portugal’s Nations League campaign so far.

Ruben Amorim recently joked that Fernandes does not need rest, and his recent form for United – and, in fact, his entire Old Trafford career to date – suggests that is the case as well.

Perhaps it was simply a bad day at the office for Portugal, but absolutely no one will want Fernandes jaded for the final stretch of games in the club campaign.

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