Bruno Fernandes couldn’t resist biting back after receiving some stick from the Aston Villa faithful during Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat on Sunday.
It proved a miserable day for Fernandes, who continued his run of starting every Premier League match this season before he was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury.
United’s captain and talisman had attempted to play through the pain after first feeling discomfort during the first half, but had to be removed at the break, with Lisandro Martinez brought on in his place at Villa Park.
Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Ruben Amorim said Fernandes had likely sustained a soft-tissue injury and could potentially be out of action for a ‘while’.
A dejected-looking Fernandes was seen watching on from the sidelines in the second half as an inspired Morgan Rogers scored his second of the match to steer the hosts to a tenth successive victory in all competitions.
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But while Fernandes cut a lonely and frustrated figure for the most part, fan footage has emerged that shows the midfielder getting embroiled in some heated banter with a few rowdy home supporters sat directly behind the United dugout.
‘You sing more for me than for your team! You sing more for me than for your team!’ the Portuguese was heard barking back at those Villa fans giving him an earful.
‘Don’t be angry because I score always against you. Don’t be angry.’
It was only when Fernandes was rudely told to, ‘Sit down, you rat!’, that he eventually took his seat, which prompted loud, sarcastic cheers from those in the vicinity.
The Portugal international will no doubt be desperate to make a speedy recovery so he is able to do his talking out on the pitch – rather than in the stands – during the club’s hectic winter schedule.
Sunday’s high-stakes clash belonged to Rogers, though, who continued his magnificent run of form to make the difference for Villa, who have established themselves as a genuine force in this year’s title race.
Matheus Cunha had appeared to have dragged United back into the contest after cancelling out Rogers’ breathtaking opener in a thrilling end to the first half.
But Rogers ensured Villa’s winning streak continued with another superb finish just before the hour-mark, and the home team held firm to claim maximum points.
The result means Unai Emery’s men remain within three points of top-of-the-table Arsenal – and just one point behind second-placed Manchester City – after 17 games.
United, meanwhile, sit ten points worse off than Villa down in seventh. The Red Devils will look to get back to winning ways when they return to action at home to Newcastle on Boxing Day.
‘I think we were the better team today,’ Amorim said after his side’s loss to Villa.
‘We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno, but during the game even without him we were the better team.
‘We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result.’
The United head coach added: ‘We already knew that Aston Villa play with everybody inside and we needed to overload that situation. We have been training like that.
‘We did different options, we can use different starting XIs depending on the game, so we are improving.
‘Again, I think we deserved so much more today but the better team did not win.’
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