NOT SO SOUN
Graeme Souness launches astonishing attack on Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes as he hits out at ‘leaders in modern game’
Fernandes has hit back at the criticism
GRAEME SOUNESS has renewed his feud with one of Manchester United's top stars.
And it's captain Bruno Fernandes that has been caught in the firing line this time.
4
4
Souness was speaking on William Hill's Three Up Front podcast alongside Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan.
Souness called out Fernandes' general attitude on the pitch - and pinpointed a moment he did not like from the now Man Utd captain two seasons ago.
Souness said: "When you look at leaders in the modern game, one example is at Manchester United which is one of the biggest institutions in world football.
"The club captain is Bruno Fernandes. When they were 3-0 down against Liverpool a couple of seasons ago, he just threw the towel in… he's the captain! If anything, he should still be contributing, running around with enthusiasm and helping his teammates.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
"I don't think Fernandes can change that aspect of himself – it's part of him. When he's shrugging his shoulders and throwing his arms around, that's just him."
He added: "I think leaders in the modern game tend to hide. They don't want to put themselves out there, be held accountable, or stand up and take the blame. The most recent example was at the Euros.
"When England were having a tough time with media it was [Jude] Bellingham – one of the youngest members of the group – who was up there talking to them on behalf of the team.
"He should've been one of the last ones to go up because it should've been the more senior players."
Most read in Football
Fernandes has been criticised throughout his time at United for his protestations on the pitch.
4
4
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
But he has had success at United since taking over the captaincy from Harry Maguire last summer - with the club winning the FA Cup under his stewardship.
But disappointing league form also saw the club finish eighth in the Premier league.
Man Utd player ratings vs Rangers
Fernandes addressed criticism of his on-field actions in a May interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola in which he said: "his [being demanding] often conveys the image of bad temper, because it comes from the way we experience the game, from how we are so intense… and intense players are difficult to understand.
"I have this notion that there are probably a lot of people who don't like certain things I do, but in every locker room I go to, I always say that if a player doesn't feel comfortable with the way I talk to him, with the way I convey the message to you, I am open to not doing it or to trying to do it in another way.
When asked if players have ever confronted him for his on-field criticism, Fernandes said: "I never had that 'don't talk to me like that' confrontation.
"I have had the perception of players who feel very down if someone talks to them or if I talk to them.
"It's a little natural. I don't think much about this issue. Many times it goes well, many times it goes badly. There are people who like it, others who don't like it.
"There are people who see pointing as bragging, because for us in the field it is difficult to convey messages in the way we are here talking. It's practically impossible.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Normally, we have to use our arms more, gesture. We are too far away from each other to be able to understand the messages we want to convey to each other."
Souness infamously previously feuded with former Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
Man Utd pre-season tour squad in full
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Demot Mee, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Jonny Evans,Will Fish, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sam Murray, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon.
Forwards: Antony, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley.
Reported injured: Tyrell Malacia
Left out: Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw.
MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford