Manchester United are living in dark days. Defeat to Chelsea on Friday night has left the team closer to the bottom than to the European places, with football that seems to have lost its spark, clarity and direction. The mood around the club reflects frustration and exhaustion. There is little to be excited about at Old Trafford, even though the Europa League final is just around the corner. Ruben Amorim’s side’s current form does not inspire confidence, and the pressure is mounting game by game. The situation has become heavy both on and off the pitch.
At Stamford Bridge, the team once again showed a pale version. They surrendered control, failed at both ends of the pitch and put in another weak performance that made their poor form even more evident. One of those who did not have a good night was Rasmus Hojlund. The young Danish attacker failed to do any damage to the Chelsea defence and went unnoticed in most of his interventions. However, what was most striking was the treatment he received from Bruno Fernandes during the match.
Tim Sherwood via TBR Football pointed out that there was tension between the two, with gestures that showed discomfort. Fernandes, as captain, showed clear signs of annoyance with his teammate, gesticulating and shooting glances after every failed move. This behaviour did not go unnoticed and opened a new focus of criticism, not only for the low collective level, but also for the way emotions are handled within the group. Instead of support, what was seen was distance. Instead of unity, frustration was exposed, and that, in a team trying to hold on as best it can, weighs more than it seems.
“He tries his best, he runs around for the shirt, you can’t fault his effort, but you can fault his ability and his confidence at the moment. Bruno was getting so frustrated with him, he’s the captain of the club, but some of his actions towards him, I didn’t agree with that, the boy is struggling for confidence, but you can understand the frustration.”
What is happening with United is no longer just about results. There are clear signs of emotional turmoil, internal distrust and a lack of leadership that goes beyond the armband. Fernandes, because of his role and experience, has a responsibility to lead by example, especially with younger players like Hojlund. Showing frustration is only human, but there are ways and times. In a team that is crumbling in sporting terms, the captain’s reactions should be aimed at rebuilding, not dividing. It is not about protecting for the sake of protecting, but about knowing when to correct and when to support.
Hojlund needs support. He is far from his best, but exposing his fragility in the middle of a match only accentuates his insecurity. Criticism should not obscure the context: this United team are fragile emotionally and erratic tactically. Blaming a 22-year-old striker seems disproportionate. The club need role models who can lead by example; the armband doesn’t just mean pointing out mistakes. It also means embracing those who fail. Because if there is no solidarity within the dressing room, the end of the season will be even more bitter than the present.
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