Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has broken his silence on international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial red card during Portugal's match against Ireland this week. The United skipper defended the former Old Trafford legend while acknowledging the costly nature of the dismissal.
Fernandes addresses Ronaldo controversy
Speaking ahead of Portugal's upcoming match against Armenia, Fernandes addressed the incident that saw Ronaldo shown a straight red card in the 61st minute for a swinging elbow during Portugal's 2-0 defeat to Ireland. The United midfielder, who was suspended for the match himself, offered a balanced perspective on his compatriot's actions.
"It was just a football moment," Fernandes stated. "Cristiano reacted in a way he didn't intend and it cost the team. He knows he made a mistake but such moments happen."
The Portuguese playmaker also analysed his national team's overall performance, noting that "Ireland defended well. We moved the ball too slowly. We need to be quicker and more direct." He emphasised that the squad analyses mistakes consistently regardless of results.
De Ligt's international struggles continue
Meanwhile, another Manchester United star continues to face challenges on the international stage. Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who joined United from Bayern Munich for £40 million in 2024, remained an unused substitute during the Netherlands' 1-1 draw with Poland on Friday.
The centre-back has experienced a troubled relationship with Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman over the past twelve months, regularly finding himself excluded from squads and matchday teams. Despite his recall for the current international break, Koeman opted not to utilise the United defender even as he criticised his team's defensive performance.
"In certain situations, we need to be more patient and improve our defence," Koeman admitted after the match. "Poland didn't have many opportunities, but they created two clear goal-scoring chances, while we failed to capitalise on such opportunities."
Cantona's scathing Ratcliffe assessment
Back at Old Trafford, club legend Eric Cantona has delivered a blistering critique of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership regime. The French icon expressed his disappointment at what he perceives as the dismantling of Sir Alex Ferguson's legacy under the current leadership.
"I have many other passions and projects, but I thought that for two or three years I could maybe put those to the side and try to give something to this club, which has given everything to me," Cantona revealed during his live show 'An Evening with Eric The King Cantona'. "But [Ratcliffe] didn't seem interested."
The former striker didn't hold back in his assessment of how the club's footballing philosophy has evolved, stating: "Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it."
As United players gradually return from international duty, attention turns to their next Premier League challenge against Everton. Under Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils have climbed to seventh in the table and remain unbeaten in the top flight since late September, sitting just four points off second place.
