According to a report by The Sun on Monday October 26, 2026, Bruno Fernandes has sparked fresh controversy after appearing to endorse a social media video following his exclusion from Manchester United’s starting lineup, prompting criticism amid the club’s difficult campaign under Michael Carrick.

The United captain was left out of the squad for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth after reportedly challenging Carrick’s tactical decisions following their previous 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.

Carrick explained that Fernandes’ omission was based on footballing reasons rather than punishment. The Portuguese midfielder, however, has struggled for consistency this season after an outstanding previous campaign in which he recorded 21 Premier League assists.

Fernandes has registered just one league assist this term, against Ipswich, while three of his four goals also came against the newly promoted side. His performances have attracted scrutiny as United continue experiencing difficulties.

Rather than publicly addressing his omission, Fernandes reportedly liked an Instagram video portraying a giant stone creature protecting a town from an enormous boulder. The video featured a remix of Los Del Rio’s famous Macarena song.

The clip carried the message, “Never Push A Loyal Person To The Point Where They No Longer Care,” suggesting that someone who continually protects others may eventually stop helping when their loyalty goes unappreciated.

In the animation, the giant struggles to prevent the boulder from destroying the town. However, after residents attack him with arrows, he steps aside, allowing the destructive object to overwhelm them.

The imagery has been interpreted as a possible reference to Fernandes’ situation at Old Trafford, with the giant representing the midfielder and the town symbolising Manchester United. His exclusion appears to have fuelled speculation about his relationship with Carrick.

The incident comes after Carrick emphasised that no individual should consider themselves bigger than the club. He declared, “Manchester United is always bigger – and it always has been, always will be – than any single individual.”

Fernandes’ apparent endorsement of the video has therefore attracted criticism, with questions raised about whether the captain’s reaction reflects frustration or dissatisfaction with his treatment.

With United struggling for results and Fernandes experiencing a difficult season, the situation adds another layer of tension surrounding Carrick’s leadership and the club’s immediate future.