Alan Shearer has suggested that Bruno Fernandes looks "happier" playing without Cristiano Ronaldo after the midfielder impressed in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Fernandes quickly established himself as United's talisman after joining the club in January 2020, but his influence - and form - has significantly waned since Ronaldo re-joined the club last summer.
It has been suggested by fans and pundits alike that Fernandes' own form has been stifled by Ronaldo. The Portuguese playmaker was named in the starting XI for Wednesday night's match, while Ronaldo was an unused substitute after starting United's last match.
And Shearer reopened the debate during the match after Fernandes found the net in Wednesday night's impressive win over Spurs. While commentating for Amazon Prime, he said: "What a finish. Great control but fair play to the referee. He could have blown for the offside at the other end and he allows the play to continue and it results in the goal. He has had a great performance up until now."
And the former Premier League goal-machine added: "Would I be stirring if I said Bruno looks happier in this team without Ronaldo? I just look at his performance tonight and his energy and look at his leadership and the qualities he has offered both defensively and offensively and he has done so much for them in this performance tonight. He deserved that goal."
Fernandes himself hit back at suggestions that he had been negatively impacted by Ronaldo's return in an interview with The Athletic last month. After a prolific first year at the club, Fernandes struggled for form last season - but he was adamant that was down to his own game rather than anybody else.
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He explained: "Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don't think [it is fair]. I just had a poor season in terms of my own numbers. I don't think it is about Cristiano or myself.
"Before he came, I was also taking the penalties, but I had two chances to take the penalties last season and I missed both. So I cannot blame Cristiano for taking penalties, especially when he scores them.
"When I missed against Arsenal in April, it was him who gave me the ball and said, 'Go yourself and score'. I missed but I felt that he trusted me to be the one to step up and score in the big moment. So I don't think it is because of Cristiano, it is because I didn't do the best in myself in some moments to get goals or assists."
