The Manchester United captain was spotted arriving at Old Trafford with his hood up after being dropped to the bench by Michael Carrick for the clash against Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes arriving at Old Trafford
View 2 Images
Ashley Young says Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' attitude after being dropped for Sunday's Premier League clash with Brighton is not fit for a skipper of the club. Fernandes came under the spotlight earlier in the week after appearing to question Michael Carrick's tactics following United's heavy 4-1 defeat to Como.
The Portuguese midfielder also attracted attention when he arrived at Old Trafford with his hood pulled up ahead of the Brighton match. The United skipper was named on the bench for the visit of the Seagulls, with Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui also left out of the starting XI.
In their place, Amad, Ayden Heaven, Carlos Baleba and Leny Yoro were handed starts. Former United winger Young, however, was unimpressed by Fernandes' response, arguing that the midfielder's behaviour did not reflect the standards expected of a United captain.
Make sure you never miss the latest Manchester United news and opinion by making Manchester Evening News one of your Google preferred sources.
"Do you know what you want, as well? Okay, you've been dropped as a player, you know, it happens to a player," Young said on Sky Sports. "You've been there, but you want to see a reaction.
"He's got his hood up, he's walking in, he's showing the fans, look, I'm still upset. But that's not the reaction you want from a captain of Manchester United. You want to see him, [feel] okay, right, I've been dropped, I know what I've done wrong,
"I'm going to walk in, and when I get the opportunity to come on the pitch, I'm going to show what I'm actually about. Okay, 'my comments in the week were said and directed to Michael Carrick, but I don't want to show everyone else what I've said is already out there.'
"Now I need to show what I'm about, personality, and showing that when he walks in. That's not what you want to see."
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick watches the UEFA Champions League league phase match between Como 1907 and Manchester United
Carrick opted to drop Fernandes to the bench(Image: (Photo by Luca Rossini/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
View 2 Images
While Carrick insisted the decision was based solely on footballing considerations, he admitted it was a difficult call involving one of the club's most influential players. He said: "Picking the team, the starting XI, you've got options to choose from; it is always a difficult decision.
"We've got to make what we feel is the right one for today, for the team, to try to get that performance that we want."
When asked if Fernandes' omission was linked to his post-match comments in midweek, the United boss was quick to dismiss the suggestion, replying: "Pure football, pure football."
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
Martinez, who also aimed criticism at the club's hierarchy in a fiery post-match interview, was named among the substitutes, with Carrick revealing he was not yet fully fit to start.
"It was touch and go," the head coach explained. "And it just wasn't worth the total risk. "Ayden's been ill for the start of the week, and he's played well when he's played for us. I'm happy with the team.
"I think we've got a really strong team; we've got strong options coming off the bench, so we need a good performance and a good result today."