Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly acknowledged Bruno Fernandes‘ hat-trick in Manchester United’s 5-2 victory over Bournemouth, offering a message of support despite his own continued absence due to a World Cup ban. Teh gesture arrives as Fernandes continues a run of exceptional form for United, further solidifying his role as a key player and captain in Ronaldo’s absence.
Ronaldo, currently preparing for a return to action after being suspended by Manchester United following his walkout during november’s match against Tottenham Hotspur and subsequent criticism of manager Erik ten Hag, responded to a post celebrating Fernandes’ performance on Instagram. Fernandes’ three goals propelled United to a crucial win, easing some pressure on the team amid a turbulent period. The Portuguese international’s hat-trick was the first by a United player since Ronaldo achieved the feat against Norwich city in April 2022.
The acknowledgement from Ronaldo underscores the ongoing relationship between the two Portuguese internationals, despite the recent upheaval at Old Trafford. Ronaldo’s ban from the first team initially stemmed from refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham, followed by an unauthorized interview where he heavily criticized the club and Ten Hag. He remains unavailable for selection as he continues training separately, with a potential return to the squad anticipated after the world Cup concludes. Fernandes, simultaneously occurring, has stepped up in ronaldo’s absence, captaining the side and delivering consistently impactful performances.
