Bruno Fernandes’ brother has said that he can be targeted with criticism about the Manchester United star and has revealed how he feels hearing the comments made about him.
The Manchester United captain has been an influential figure at Old Trafford after former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed him from Sporting CP in 2020.
Bruno Fernandes made an immediate impact in his first six months at United after scoring eight times and registering seven assists in 14 Premier League matches.
The 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder was promoted to club captain under United boss Erik ten Hag after Harry Maguire was stripped of the captaincy last summer.
Despite his influential presence at United, Fernandes has been met with criticism over his actions on the pitch and his captaincy was questioned earlier this season.
However, Ten Hag has kept faith in the former Sporting CP star and Fernandes has stepped up as United skipper amid the fierce criticism that he has received.
Fernandes’ brother on Man Utd star
Ricardo Fernandes is Bruno Fernandes’ brother and currently plays for Roffey in Division One of the Southern Combination Football League.
The Manchester United star’s sibling is captain of the non-League side and works for the NHS, with Ricardo never achieving the same height of success as Bruno in football.
However, Ricardo is unable to escape his brother’s shadow on the pitch and has revealed that he can be targeted by opposition players and supporters about Bruno.
Bruno’s brother insisted that he is ‘tempted’ to bite back at the criticism, but he ultimately decides not to do so despite being affected by what he hears about him.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, he said: “Oh, yes, that happens.
“I’m not saying every game, but most games.
“I don’t mind people coming up to me and speaking about my brother. I’m glad Bruno is known around the world. Manchester United was a big step for him.
“You hear the criticism and sometimes it affects you. It’s tempting to comment, but you have to leave it.”
Ricardo ‘proud’ of Man Utd skipper Bruno
Ricardo admitted that he is proud of his brother’s accomplishments and revealed that he had to step up as a big brother for the United star.
He believes that the United skipper “developed his strong mentality” by playing against older opponents when he was younger.
“People tend to think, ‘Oh, he’s got this and that because of his brother,’ but me and my partner have earned everything ourselves,” Ricardo said.
“I’m very proud of Bruno, though.
“I think he always looked at me growing up. We have a five-year age gap and he liked to come and play with me and my mates.
“I had to look after him – I didn’t want my friends kicking my brother if he was nutmegging them!
“I think that’s how he developed his strong mentality, playing against older opponents.”
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