Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo were hardly ecstatic to be reunited on Portugal duty for the World Cup as their first interaction post-interview was caught on camera.
The Manchester United teammates regularly speak in praise of each other, and both are fantastic players, but the numbers at club level suggest that both perform better without the other in the team.
And it has been Fernandes’ chance to shine this season, with Ronaldo sidelined in the Premier League, something that he has clearly taken issue with.
In a long interview with Piers Morgan, the former Manchester United icon slammed the club for their treatment of him since his return to the side 18 months ago.
“Yes [I’m being forced out]. Not only the coach, but another two of three guys around. I felt betrayed”, he told British TV.
“People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed and I felt that some people didn’t want me here, not just this year, but last year too.”
And on new Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag, he added:
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.”
“If you don’t have respect for me, I will never have any for you.”
It has almost certainly caused rifts among the dressing room, which seems in the most part united behind the Dutchman, and Fernandes, who has joined up with the Portugal National Team for the upcoming World Cup alongside Ronaldo, handed his teammate a very frosty reception as the pair met up with the squad.
It was later explained by fellow teammate Joao Mario that the whole thing had situated around a joke made about Fernandes’ lateness to the camp.
“It’s funny, because Bruno was one of the last to arrive. It was a joke between them and Cristiano asked him if he had come by boat”, he explained.
“I believe that the images can be interpreted, but it was a joke between them and I believe that they have a great relationship, because they play together and because I saw them yesterday and spent the whole day with them. You saw a small snippet of something that happened, but there is no problem between them”
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