Manchester United Star Bruno Fernandes Savages Former Arsenal Forward Nicolas Pepe With Harsh Remarks

• Bruno Fernandes has publicly questioned why Nicolas Pepe was not ridiculed over his poor performances last season
• Fernandes was analysing his dip in form when he name-dropped Pepe's name, who had a difficult time at Arsenal
• Pepe is Arsenal's most expensive signing but has been loaned out to Ligue 1 club Nice

Manchester United's assistant captain Bruno Fernandes has dragged Nicolas Pepe's name in the mud in an uncharacteristic fashion.

Fernandes drew comparisons between himself and Pepe and asked why the former Arsenal winger received preferential treatment from fans and the press.

The Portuguese international was addressing his loss of form last season coupled with a poor return of results from Manchester United. The club ended up finishing sixth and had to settle for a place in the Europa League.

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Pepe, meanwhile, failed to live up to his hefty price tag at the Emirates Stadium. He was often overlooked, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe starting ahead of him. He was eventually shipped off to Nice on loan.

Speaking to the Athletic, Fernandes said,

Pepe had some bad games and everyone was saying, 'He still has to adapt but when Bruno was having a bad game, it was just because he was moaning or not focused on the game.

Fernandes has sort of regained his confidence and form this season under Erik ten Hag. He has been handed captain duties with Harry Maguire currently out of the team. He has one goal, which he scored against Southampton.

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Ronaldo was believed to have been angling for a move away, but he failed to get any suitors. He missed Erik ten Hag's first preseason tour.

Ten Hag subsequently dropped him from his starting XI, with Marcus Rashford preferred to lead the line. Reports had also indicated that a number of United players wanted him to leave after it had emerged that he constantly failed to acknowledge their weaknesses.