According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United recently shared a photo of their midfield talisman Bruno Fernandes on their official social media account, highlighting his ability to score penalties in decisive moments. This action sparked controversy on social media, with some users interpreting it as an insult to the club’s legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is no stranger to Manchester United, having worn the Red Devils’ jersey twice and leaving an illustrious legacy at Old Trafford. Despite being 39 years old, he continued to lead the Portuguese national team in the 2024 UEFA Euro Cup. In the Round of 16 match against Slovenia, Ronaldo missed a penalty against goalkeeper Jan Oblak in extra time, forcing a nerve-wracking shootout. The miss led to an emotional Ronaldo, who was seen crying on the pitch.
Portugal eventually advanced to the quarterfinals, but Ronaldo’s miss led to a humorous yet controversial nickname, “Miss-tyano Ronaldo,” combining “miss” and “penalty.” Amidst this ongoing debate, Manchester United posted a picture of Bruno Fernandes taking a penalty, accompanied by the caption, “Bruno Fernandes always steps up to score crucial penalties.” This move was particularly sensitive given Ronaldo’s recent miss.
Some Manchester United fans expressed their displeasure, with one fan stating, “Don’t belittle our legend.” Another chimed in, “I won’t tolerate anyone undermining Cristiano Ronaldo. I’ve been a loyal Manchester United supporter since 2006, and it was Ronaldo who made me fall in love with the team.”
Ironically, one fan commented, “Bruno Fernandes hasn’t tasted Premier League glory yet, while Ronaldo helped United win the title three times. Not to mention the Champions League trophy and countless other accolades.” Another fan simply asked, “Did Manchester United really need to post something like this, indirectly mocking Ronaldo?” These reactions reflect the dissatisfaction of some fans with the club’s social media strategy and their affection for Ronaldo.