Bruno Fernandes slams Man Utd followers’ therapy of Joshua Zirkzee after he was booed off at Old Trafford and ‘left in tears’ by supporters’ jeers

Bruno Fernandes has openly condemned Man United fans for their harsh treatment of team-mate Joshua Zirkzee during the clash against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd, and his substitution in the 33rd minute was greeted with sarcastic cheers. 

The forward headed directly down the tunnel before returning to the bench, with The Sun suggesting he was visibly emotional, even tearful, after the incident.

Fernandes expressed his frustration over the treatment of Zirkzee, highlighting the 23-year-old’s unwavering commitment to the team since joining from Bologna.

The United captain emphasised the challenges faced by players transitioning from different leagues, noting that newcomers like Zirkzee need time to adapt and find their footing.

Fernandes concluded by reaffirming his confidence in Zirkzee, praising the striker’s immense talent and assuring that the team fully believes in his potential.

Speaking to TalkSport after the game against Newcastle, Fernandes said: ‘I was in the stands and I’ve never seen something like this.’

Fernandes went on to add: ‘It really frustrates me and annoys me because he’s a player that always gives it his all.

‘As a player that is coming into the team from a different league, he needs time to adapt but, he has huge qualities.

‘He hasn’t shown all the quality but it can’t be that from the first game of the season everyone was hyping him as one of the best strikers and now everyone does not believe in him anymore.

‘We do believe in him inside the dressing room. I would rather be myself in this position against Newcastle and not seeing one of my team-mates in that position.’

United had endured a miserable opening to the game and found themselves two goals down inside the opening 20 minutes after headers from Alexander Isak and Joelinton. 

Ruben Amorim decided he’d seen enough and opted to replace Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo with the best part of 15 minutes of the first half remaining.

As he began to jog off the pitch, a roar went up from the home fans who were clearly happy to see Zirkzee making way.

The fans’ reaction prompted co-commentator and former United player Gary Neville to express some sympathy for Zirkzee.

‘I actually feel sorry for him, I really do,’ Neville said. ‘I know that he’s earning a lot of money here but there is a human being in there that’s basically being cheered off by his own fans and that is brutal.

‘I’ve not seen that too many times at Old Trafford in the 43 years that I’ve been coming here.’

Having got to the bench, Zirkzee picked up his coat and quickly walked up the touchline before heading down the tunnel.

Neville continued: ‘He’s had enough and I actually don’t blame him. (It’s) a massive embarrassment, I hope some of the fans down there give him a little something. He hasn’t played well let’s be clear, they’ve all been absolutely awful.’

A few minutes later, Zirkzee returned to the bench clutching a water bottle as he rejoined United’s substitutes for the evening.

Neville would go on to claim that United were the ‘worst pound-for-pound team in the country’ as he watched his old club be thoroughly outplayed by Newcastle on their own turf.