With Bruno Fernandes playing a huge role for Manchester United this season, one of the Portuguese ace's managers hit out at criticism that's been levelled at the United skipper
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Bruno Fernandes has received a large amount of criticism over the course of his six years at United(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez believes Bruno Fernandes' efforts at Manchester United have not received enough praise. Fernandes, 31, has been leading the Reds' charge into the top four since Michael Carrick was appointed as interim manager.
His performances have suggested United fans should be grateful he did not move to Saudi Arabia, as the midfielder admitted he was close to doing. His future remains uncertain having entered the final 18 months of his contract at Old Trafford.
Despite contributing 104 goals and 99 assists in 316 appearances for United, Fernandes has often been a lightning rod for criticism. Martinez, who will be managing the ex-Sporting midfielder in this summer's World Cup, believes a lot of the criticism towards him is unfair.
Speaking on the Overlap, Martinez said: "I think he’s very unfairly assessed. I think if we are all very objective, to be the captain of Manchester United in the last three or four years, I bet it’s been incredibly tough, at every level.
"What I appreciate from him is that he never hides. He never hides. I’m not going to value if he makes the right pass or the right execution, but whatever happens, in any action, he’s back.
"He’s the one, he’s the leader. He’s very emotional, but in a very respectful way by his team-mates. When his team-mates see that Bruno is upset, they react. They know that that’s something.
"It’s not like he’s an emotional player who just has emotions for emotions and I think that’s the difference with other emotions.”
Bruno Fernandes of Portugal is embraced by Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, after he is substituted during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 05, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany
Martinez praised Fernandes' efforts for United(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
View 2 Images
When asked by Gary Neville if he feels Fernandes' emotional nature can be a good thing, Martinez replied: "This emotion is for a reason. There are players who are emotional because that’s the way they cope with it, that’s completely different. I think that can affect other players.
"When Bruno reacts emotionally it’s because there is something that’s not right and it’s almost a message to somebody. He looks after every player. He would never ever let anyone down.
"But what I appreciate is the consistency. Last season, he was the player with the most minutes in Europe. If you are the captain of Manchester United, in a tough period, it’s difficult to be available all the time and always be there. I think that’s what Bruno has done.”
This season, Fernandes has contributed six goals and 13 assists in 26 appearances in all competitions. It's an impressive return, given he spent the first two thirds of the campaign operating in a deeper position under Ruben Amorim.
Since Michael Carrick's appointment as interim manager, Fernandes has helped himself to four assists and one goal and has played every minute of every match.