Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim did not hold back in his assessment of Bruno Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder’s costly red card in their 2-0 loss to Wolves on Boxing Day.
Amorim Points Finger at Bruno Fernandes After Wolves Defeat
The defeat marked a third consecutive loss for United in all competitions, deepening the challenges Amorim faces in his fledgling tenure.
United’s struggles reached a boiling point at Molineux when Fernandes, already on a yellow card, recklessly caught Nelson Semedo’s ankle early in the second half.
His dismissal left United with ten men and opened the door for Wolves to dominate the latter stages.
Speaking after the game, Amorim expressed frustration with the midfielder’s lack of discipline.
“It’s hard to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10, it’s almost impossible,” Amorim told reporters.
“The red card changed everything. Bruno needs to control himself better; these moments are killing us.”
Wolves capitalized on their numerical advantage shortly after the sending-off. Matheus Cunha’s inswinging corner flew untouched into the far corner, leaving Andre Onana stranded.
United pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Wolves sealed their victory deep into stoppage time when Hwang Hee-chan scored on the counter-attack.
Amorim, visibly frustrated, reflected on United’s inability to adapt under pressure.
“We were near the goal even with 10 men, and that’s a positive, but we lost. We lack aggression and control,” he admitted.
“These are things we have to fix, but there’s no time to train—it’s just game after game.”
The defeat also amplified scrutiny of Amorim’s decisions, particularly his continued exclusion of Marcus Rashford from the squad.
When pressed, Amorim deflected, emphasizing professionalism and unity. “It’s always about maintaining the same standards, win or lose. I stand by my decisions.”
Fernandes’ red card was his third of the season, a worrying trend for United as they navigate a tumultuous campaign.
With the team now under mounting pressure, Amorim faces the daunting task of steadying the ship in a relentless Premier League season.
