Michael Owen questions whether Bruno Fernandes 'imagined' Man United's upcoming match with Liverpool after the Red Devils captain was banned for a trip to Anfield

Michael Owen has questioned whether Bruno Fernandes was 'looking forward' to Manchester United's visit to Liverpool after the midfielder was handed a pre-match ban.

Playmaker Fernandes was shown a yellow card by referee Peter Bankes for dissent during the final stages of his side's humiliating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

The warning, given after an argument with the referee, was his fifth of the season, meaning he will have to watch the showdown at Anfield from the stands next Sunday.

Reflecting on the incident, which took place in the 84th minute against the Cherries, Owen suggested Fernandes needs to become more of a 'leader for the team'.

According to The mirror, he said: 'I wonder how many yellow cards he's had for dissent and waving his arms.

Michael Owen wondered if the Portugal international was 'looking forward' to the league match

'Maybe you don't feel like going to Anfield. I wouldn't do it right now. I'm not sure if you're thinking about the next game when you're in the middle of it.

'He has to be responsible, he has to be a good ambassador, a leader for the team. We all know that the referees take strict action and that he often gets a yellow card for a player who barely puts his foot in and tackles, but he gets a yellow card very often.'

United remain three points off the Champions League places after their home setback against Andoni Iraola's side, but have played a game more than their rivals.

Dominic Solanke broke through early to stun the crowd before second-half goals from Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi capped a miserable display.

Fernandes has started every Premier League match for United this season, scoring five goals and providing five assists in the top flight and the Champions League.

His booking will result in a one-match suspension.

The 29-year-old's yellow card came in the 84th minute, when the visitors were already three goals ahead, after a foul on Bournemouth defender Adam Smith.

He will prove to be a big miss for United on Merseyside. Last season, Ten Hag's team was crushed in a 7-0 demolition job and will be a heavy underdog again this season.

Fernandes could not prevent his team's 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon

Last season United suffered a 7-0 thrashing when they visited Anfield in the league

United's win against Chelsea in midweek restored hope to the club, although this optimism was shattered after the latest surprise setback.

After the match, Fernandes took aim at United's lack of consistency.

“We missed a lot of things and that's why we don't get the result today,” he said.

“Everything was lower than the levels in the previous game and that's why when you play against teams like Bournemouth, who are very aggressive, they put pressure on you and you think it's going to be easy, you get these kinds of results.