Manchester United have been showing disrespect to Cristiano Ronaldo over a social media post hailing Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal secured a place in the quarter-final of the ongoing European championship with a penalty win over Slovenia on Monday. However, Ronaldo was in floods of tears after missing a penalty during extra-time of the match.
Ronaldo redeemed himself during the penalty shootout and Bruno Fernandes followed Ronaldo by netting Portugal’s second penalty in the shootout.
Oblak of Slovenia saves the penalty kick from Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Just two days after the dramatic game, United praised Fernandes as they wrote: ‘Bruno Fernandes knows all about scoring penalties in the big moments.’
The post was accompanied by five penalties that Fernandes has successfully converted for the Red Devils.
Though the post doesn’t mention Ronaldo and praises their current captain, some fans have seen United’s post as a way of ‘disrespecting’ their former player.
One wrote: ‘Are you really making mockery of probably the most clutch player in the history of football when it comes to crucial penalties.
‘He’s missed one cause he’s human after all, and you all go berserk, which shows the level of standard and benchmark he has put over the decades.’
Another fan said that the post was ‘blatant disrespect aimed at Cristiano’, before adding: ‘Forgetting that he is the LAST Man United player to lift the UCL as the team’s leading goalscorer in the competition & is the LAST United player ever to win the Ballon d’Or! Show respect!’
One fan questioned the post asking: ‘Why? Show some respect for Ronaldo,’ while another added ‘No Ronaldo slander is allowed. I’ve been a Man U fan since 2006 and Ronaldo made me fall in love with you people.’
United’s post included Fernandes scoring penalties against Watford, Brighton, Manchester City, Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Arguing Ronaldo’s case, another fan said: ‘I know someone who took penalty against Spain in the World Cup, against Juventus in the Champions League final, against ATM (Atletico Madrid) in shootout, against ATM in Champions League final and semi-final.
There were some though who defended the club, insisting that their social media team was showing their appreciation to Bruno Fernandes, rather than dismissing Ronaldo.
One wrote: ‘The post is about Bruno’s appreciation and somehow all the CR worshippers are attacking in the comments.’
Ronaldo agreed a mutual termination of his contract with United in November 2022, following a disagreement with club and manager, Erik ten Hag.
