Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has said he shushed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in the Red Devils' 2-0 win over the champions because "he didn't deserve my respect”. In the closing stages of the derby, Pep threw the ball away as the 25-year-old went to collect it from him in what appeared to be an attempt to get under the player’s skin. It didn’t work and Fernandes can seemingly do no wrong in the eyes of the Old Trafford faithful.
Bruno Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford in January and has had an immediate effect on the fortunes of Manchester United. In an upturn in form, the Red Devils’ positive run included a 2-0 victory over local rivals City. Manchester United won the game through goals by Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay to complete a league double over their local rivals for the first time since 2010. Fernandes was instrumental to the win, setting up the first goal with a clever free-kick. As Man United and Scottish Midfielder McTominay describes, he is a "born winner" who has been a "breath of fresh air" for the club.
In Image: Bruno exchanging words with Pep
It was near the end of the high-tension match when the scoreline had the hosts just a fragile goal ahead of the reigning Premier League champions when there was a verbal altercation between Fernandes and Guardiola. And the people watching could see the new United man putting his finger to his mouth, in a clear gesture for the visiting manager to be quiet.
"I talked about this with some friends and some people think 'Pep won everything, who is Bruno to diss him?' But I think it is about respect.
"Now, I think outside of the pitch I don't do this again if I am on the pitch now. But, at that moment the words he told me made me mad, and on the pitch, I am a little bit nervous, it is the kind of player I am.
"I have respect for Pep and what he won, and what he did for football because he changed some mentalities in football. But, at that moment, he didn't deserve my respect at that moment on the pitch."
Reacting to that, Manchester United manager Ole had somethings to say, “You need character at this club but this team they have got that,” he said when asked about Fernandes’ gesture. “They have learned through some hard times this season. We have started something we believe in and Bruno has helped that.”
