Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has admitted that his on-pitch behaviour goes “over the line” but has disputed suggestions that he is “disrespectful”.
The Portuguese playmaker has garnered criticism for the way he has acted on the pitch, as well as in response to his own teammates. Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane are amongst those who have publicly questioned his conduct in the past.
He showed his frustration at various points during the Red Devils’ 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, something that United icon Neville suggested was a “disgrace”. Meanwhile, Keane has regularly been a vocal critic of Fernandes and his behaviour on the pitch.
The Portuguese has now responded by admitting that his conduct can push the limits, but stopped short of claiming that he can be disrespectful. He also claimed that his actions towards his teammates are only meant as signs of encouragement.
Speaking with Sky Sports, he said: “I think obviously sometimes I go over the line, I know that. But as I said, it can happen with the game and it’s difficult to control the emotions.
“I never try to be disrespectful with anyone obviously. As I said, we are all competitive, we all want to win and I just think that the way I play, the way I feel the game, the passion I have for the game is the way I feel better and I feel that I can give the most to my team and to my club. That’s why I play in that way and also I’ve been like that since I was seven years old.
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“I don’t want to lose any game. I'm really competitive, I always try to push and give the best of myself and also push the others to give the best of themselves because if I ask someone or if I’m on the pitch and see someone that I’m speaking to them and try and say something, it’s because I believe that they can do better than what they’re doing.”
Fernandes also claimed that criticism from pundits is only intended to create headlines. He added: “I kind of understand what’s going on behind that but I can’t control that. We all know the pundits have to say something.
“They have to give their work as most bad things they say, the more work they get sometimes. We just have to live with that but for me, it’s about my teammates being okay and happy with that. Whenever they are not, I like them to tell me and so I calm myself down.”
