Manchester United have been accused of showing disrespect to their former player Cristiano Ronaldo because of a post which praises Bruno Fernandes on social media.
The Portuguese superstar was in floods of tears after missing a penalty during extra-time of their last-16 clash with Slovenia at Euro 2024 on Monday.
Ronaldo, whose second stint at Old Trafford ended tumultuously back in November 2022, would get some redemption, after netting Portugal’s first penalty during their shootout win.
Just two days after the dramatic game, United praised Fernandes as they wrote: ‘Bruno Fernandes knows all about scoring penalties in the big moments.’
Man United have been accused of ‘disrespecting’ Cristiano Ronaldo in a post on social media
Ronaldo’s spot-kick was saved in extra-time, though he scored during the penalty shootout to send Portugal into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024
The Red Devils posted that Bruno Fernandes ‘knows all about scoring penalties in the big moments’ on social media – two days after Ronaldo’s extra-time spot-kick was saved
Fans were not happy with the post demanding that United ‘show respect’ to Ronaldo
The post was accompanied by five penalties that Fernandes has successfully converted for the Red Devils.
Though the post doesn’t mention Ronaldo and praises their current captain, some fans have seen United’s post as a way of ‘disrespecting’ their former player.
One wrote: ‘Are you really making mockery of probably the most clutch player in the history of football when it comes to crucial penalties.
‘He’s missed one cause he’s human after all, and you all go berserk, which shows the level of standard and benchmark he has put over the decades.’
Another fan said that the post was ‘blatant disrespect aimed at Cristiano’, before adding: ‘Forgetting that he is the LAST Man United player to lift the UCL as the team’s leading goalscorer in the competition & is the LAST United player ever to win the Ballon d’Or! Show respect!’
One fan questioned the post asking: ‘Why? Show some respect for Ronaldo,’ while another added ‘No Ronaldo slander is allowed. I’ve been a Man U fan since 2006 and Ronaldo made me fall in love with you people.’
United’s post included Fernandes scoring penalties against Watford, Brighton, Manchester City, Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Arguing Ronaldo’s case, another fan said: ‘I know someone who took penalty against Spain in the World Cup, against Juventus in the Champions League final, against ATM (Atletico Madrid) in shootout, against ATM in Champions League final and semi-final.
One Ronaldo fan argued that he has scored bigger penalties than what Fernandes has, including in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid ten years ago
‘Scored a penalty to complete hat-trick against (Manuel) Neuer and (Jan) Oblak in Champions League semi-final. Have some respect for the GOAT.’
There were some though who defended the club, insisting that their social media team was showing their appreciation to Bruno Fernandes, rather than dismissing Ronaldo.
One wrote: ‘The post is about Bruno’s appreciation and somehow all the CR worshippers are attacking in the comments.’
Ronaldo’s second stint at United ended tumultuously back in November 2022
He is still remembered fondly by many fans after his excellent first stint at Old Trafford
While another asked: ‘Why are you all thinking everything is all about Ronaldo? I mean Bruno played one of the coolest penalties that day and the admin posted some of his perfect penalty kicks. Y’all are just taking a p*** unneccessary.’
Ronaldo agreed a mutual termination of his contract with United in November 2022, following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old, who now plays for Al-Nassr, is still remembered fondly by many United fans however after his incredible first stint at the club between 2003 and 2009.
In that time he won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and picked up his first of five Ballon d’Or awards with the Red Devils in 2008.
