Alan Shearer has insisted Bruno Fernandes looks ‘happier’ on the pitch when Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t playing.
The midfielder scored a fine second goal as Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Premier League, before Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel before the end of the match as an unused substitute.
Shearer, speaking on commentary for Amazon Prime Video, said Fernandes ‘done so much’ for United in the game, praising the Portugal international’s performance with Ronaldo absent.
‘Would I be stirring if I said Bruno looks happier in this team without Ronaldo?’, Shearer said.
‘I just look at his performance tonight and his energy and look at his leadership and the qualities he has offered both defensively and offensively and he has done so much for them in this performance tonight. He deserved that goal.’
Bruno’s form has declined dramatically since Ronaldo joined the club last summer, with his Portugal colleague proving to be the centrepiece at United on more than one occasion.
But Shearer gave the 28-year-old his ‘Player of the Match’ award for the game, before Fernandes insisted he is prepared to be less involved if the team performs better.
‘I don’t like being the main (player) because some players need that status,’ said Fernandes.
‘I have to work hard, it is my way to play since I was a kid. I will not say I am “Man of the Match”!
‘I understand my position, when some players are on the pitch I understand that and don’t have problems sacrificing myself to get the best out of my teammates.’
Ronaldo has struggled for minutes this season under Erik Ten Hag, and left his position on the substitutes bench early to much controversy.
Ten Hag has insisted he will deal with the forward, and made his desire to focus on the team’s performance after the game clear.
He said: ‘I have seen him, but I didn’t speak to him. I will deal with that tomorrow, not today. We are celebrating this victory.
‘I don’t pay attention today. I will deal with it tomorrow. I want to keep the focus on the team and a magnificent performance from all 11 players and the subs who came on. It was a squad performance.’