BREAKING NEWS: Ole Gunnar Solskjær Urges Manchester United to Bench star player Ahead of Europa League Final Against Tottenham
In a dramatic prelude to tonight’s Europa League final in Bilbao, former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has ignited controversy by suggesting that captain Bruno Fernandes should be benched for the crucial match against Tottenham Hotspur.
“Bruno should not be anywhere near the pitch today—not in a Europa League final, not against Tottenham,” Solskjær reportedly stated. “Every time he plays, United suffer. He’s a pathetic loser who drags the entire team down with his weak mentality. This is a must-win match, and if he starts, we’re finished before kickoff. I’d honestly rather see him mount, especially in that position. Starting him is handing Spurs the trophy.”
These comments have sent shockwaves through the football community, especially considering Fernandes’ significant contributions to United this season. The Portuguese midfielder has been a standout performer, registering 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, and recently matched Cristiano Ronaldo by winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a record-equalling fourth time .
Despite his impressive statistics, Fernandes has faced criticism for his performances in high-stakes matches. Notably, during the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, he struggled to replicate his club form for Portugal and was eventually dropped from the starting lineup as the team exited in the round of 16 .
Current Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has defended Fernandes amidst the criticism, highlighting his passion and essential role in the team. Amorim emphasized Fernandes’s availability, work rate, and fighting spirit as crucial traits for Premier League performance .
As the Red Devils prepare for the crucial final against Spurs, the debate over Fernandes’ inclusion in the starting lineup continues to divide opinion. Whether manager Ruben Amorim will heed Solskjær’s advice remains to be seen, but the decision will undoubtedly have significant implications for United’s pursuit of silverware.
