Unseen Footage Reveals Bruno Fernandes ‘Waking Up’ David de Gea During Manchester United’s Win
Bruno Fernandes seen ‘waking up’ David de Gea in unseen footage of Man Utd win Manchester United defeated Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night to reignite their Champions League hopes – but fans also noticed an unusual moment between two of their stars.
The Red Devils appeared to be sleepwalking towards the Premier League finish line, having gone three games without a win. But Marcus Rashford’s goal keeps their lead over the chasing pack intact and their Champions League dreams alive and well.
David de Gea also played an important role, coming back from his first-half slump to deny the visitors with a brilliant stop after the break. For much of the first 45 minutes, the Spaniard appeared to be in need of a wake-up call, as his sluggish distribution almost gifted Brentford a vital goal.
Brentford did the same after Newcastle clearly targeted that weakness in his game, and Ivan Toney almost made him pay when a clearance deflected off him and went just wide. The nerves spread from the six-year box to the stands as Thomas Frank’s team sought an equalizer.
Their best chance came when Kevin Schade was one-on-one with the United goalkeeper, but De Gea saved it. Peter Schmeichel will suffocate the effort. In the process, he took one for the team, despite the fact that he needed treatment after the collision with the forward.
And, in footage captured at the time, Bruno Fernandes demonstrated his…unique leadership style by kicking the stopper as he received treatment.
The physios at Manchester United were not pleased when the Portuguese playmaker aimed a couple of playful kicks towards the stricken star’s midsection. “Well, that worked because De Gea was fine after that, so Bruno > Medics,” one fan replied.
“(Insert meme) Wake up, do something!”, another posted. “Lol he said ‘what a save mate but get up’,” a third joked.
De Gea’s contract expires in the summer, and the debate over whether he should be given a new contract was perfectly encapsulated during United’s victory at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag is desperate for his charges to play from the back, which De Gea is clearly uncomfortable with, but there are few better when it comes to big saves and big moments.
“When you need David, he is there,” Ten Hag said, “and when you lose focus, mistakes can happen.” We want to play as a machine, making no mistakes. We made one mistake, which fortunately did not benefit them, and it was also David de Gea’s performance.”
Fernandes, on the other hand, would have been relieved to see his goalkeeper return to action and keep yet another clean sheet. For much of the season, his leadership style has been called into question, even though the ex-Sporting star is now club captain in all but name.
The midfielder’s antics frequently make headlines, but Fernandes insists it’s all part of his allure. “Sometimes when I’m shouting, it looks like I’m saying something bad to my team-mates from the outside, but it’s the opposite way around,” he told BT Sport last month.
“It’s the way I do it with the arms and everything. Sometimes I do it in a good way, but you see me waving my arms and you think it’s in a bad way.”
Waving arms, moaning at teammates, and politely kicking them in the stomach are all part of the package for Bruno Fernandes and his fellow top-four contenders at Manchester United.
