Bruno Fernandes is 'damaging' Man Utd players as captain told he has no 'mental toughness' after red card against Wolves

As one of the Premier League's most creative playmakers, Fernandes is lauded for his ability to deliver game-changing passes. His technical skills and vision make him an indispensable part of United’s attacking setup. However, critics argue that his behaviour on the field undermines his contributions. From exaggerated reactions to throwing his arms up in frustration and visibly chastising teammates, his antics have been described as counterproductive by Graeme Souness.

In his weekly column, for The Daily Mail, Souness wrote: "From his antics when the game is not going well to constantly throwing arms in the air, shrugging his shoulders at teammates - and he wears the armband. You want your captain, your leader, to be setting an example for everyone in that dressing room, that is why you pick him as your captain because he leads by example. What example does he set for Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, young players all making their way in the game?

"I think he has become a liability for Manchester United. He has undoubted talent and he will be thinking he should be playing for the very best teams out there but he is not and he is showing negativity which will be damaging to those around him - as with the sending-off against Wolves."

Reflecting on Fernandes' conduct during Manchester United’s historic 7-0 loss to Liverpool, Souness pointed out how he appeared to give up, walking around the pitch, pointing fingers, and showing visible frustration.

"I will never get the image out of my head of how he reacted to going three goals down at Liverpool when Manchester United lost 7-0 at Anfield," he said.

"He just threw the towel in, walking around pointing fingers at his teammates, shrugging shoulders. For the oldies that read this, I will quote the Billy Ocean song: 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going.' But Fernandes doesn't.

"His actions at Anfield showed me where his mental toughness was, nowhere. And that's my point, just having ability isn't enough to be a top player, he needs to show mental toughness, discipline and workrate when you're up against it and that's certainly what United are at the moment."

With Manchester United underperforming in the league and facing mounting criticism, Fernandes’ response to these challenges will be under the microscope. The red card against Wolves has sparked valid concerns, but it also offers a chance for the midfielder to address his weaknesses and reinforce his position as a leader when he returns to action in 2025 against Liverpool on January 5 after sitting out the Newcastle clash on Monday with a suspension.