He is right: £47m Man United star brutally hits back at doubters after illogical criticism

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has fired back at his critics, speaking with brutal honesty and unfiltered confidence.

The Portuguese star has often been accused of giving the ball away too easily, drawing criticism for risky plays.

Yet, those very risks are what have made him one of the most impactful players at Old Trafford over the past six years.

On the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the 31-year-old revealed that he prefers bravery on the ball to simply inflating passing stats for show.

He told Rio Ferdinand: “If I was smart I wouldn’t take risks. Risks can bring rewards or the other side of that.

“If I don’t take risks, no one will ever say Bruno has lost the ball. I will just play the ball side-to-side and backwards.

“But I am not a safe player because I know if I start doing that, I will not be helping the team.

“I take the risk because I want to help Josh (Zirkzee) and Ben (Sesko) to score goals. I want to help Cunha, Mason, Bryan, Amad.”

Courage is what makes a United player

Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon for £47 million in January 2020, immediately staking his claim as a game-changer.

Since the managerial retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, he has consistently been the club’s standout performer.

The Portugal international has become the heartbeat of this United side, dictating tempo and driving chances game after game.

He rarely misses a match for club or country, a testament to his professionalism and discipline.

Ferdinand recently singled him out as the only current player who could have thrived in his generation of successful United teams.

The former defender was spot on.

What separates Fernandes from almost every other midfielder in the world is his courage to take risks.

Opting for sideways or backward passes would have boosted his stats but it would not have produced the chances that define United’s attack.

Since joining the Premier League, Fernandes has created more scoring opportunities than any other player.

He recently surpassed Paul Scholes in the club’s all-time assist rankings, cementing his legacy as one of the most creative players in United history.

These numbers are special, and a player who does not have the courage would not have won four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards.

Fernandes may continue to lose the ball more than anyone else on the pitch, but time and again, he proves he can deliver the decisive moments that win points for his team.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .