Midfielder Bruno Fernandes hit out at the arrangements concerning the World Cup in Qatar after Manchester United brought the curtain down on the first stint of the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.
Alejandro Garnacho stepped off the bench to net a dramatic 93rd-minute winner for the Reds, ensuring they went into the pause with a spring in their step. After Christian Eriksen had seen his first-half opener cancelled out by former United winger Daniel James just past the hour mark, the contest looked set to finish in a 1-1 stalemate until the youngster made his mark.
It means United will resume their campaign after the World Cup on December 27 in a healthy position, just three points shy of the top-four. In an ideal world, they could have done without the upcoming break, though the World Cup is football's showpiece event that millions around the world love.
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However, its timing and setting has come under constant scrutiny in the build-up to the start of the tournament in recent months, attracting a wave of criticism. And Fernandes has become the latest individual to weigh in on criticising the timing of the tournament, as well as recognising the deaths that were caused during the construction of the stadiums for the event.
"Of course it's strange [the World Cup starting next week]," Fernandes admitted, speaking to Sky Sports. "It's not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup.
"I think for everyone, players and fans, it's not the best time. Kids will be at school, people will be working and the timings will not be the best for people to watch the games.
"We know the surroundings of the World Cup, what has been in the past few weeks, past few months, about the people that have died on the construction of the stadiums. We are not happy about that at all.
"We want football to be for everyone, everyone has to be included and involved in a World Cup because a World Cup is the world. It's for everyone, it doesn't matter who.
"These kind of things I think should not happen at any time. But for a World Cup it's more than football, it's a party for fans, players, something that's a joy to watch, [it] should be done in a better way."
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