Rio Ferdinand blasts criticism of Bruno Fernandes claiming ‘how dare these people talk like that’ after the Man United lauding him as one of the ‘most creative players in the Premier League’

Rio Ferdinand has hailed Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as the ‘most creative player in the Premier League’.

He also claimed that the Portuguese midfielder would stand out more because he ‘takes risks’.

Fernandes has been an important cog in the heart of Untied’s midfield for the opening few games of the 2023-24 Premier League season so far.

But despite that, he has received some criticism involved in two goals from the Red Devils during their 3–2 comeback win against Nottingham forest on Saturday afternoon.

After trailing 2–0 in the opening five minutes of the game, Christian Eriksen pulled one back for United before Fernandes headed a high ball into Casemiro’s path, which equalized for Erik ten Hag’s side.

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United would be awarded a penalty later in the game, with the 28-year-old scoring his 65th Man United goal and his first of the new season.

Micah Richards was one of his more recent critics, claiming that Fernandes’ on-field antics were detrimental to his side, while also labeling him ‘pathetic’.

Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand presents FIVEthe ex-Man United defender dismissed those criticisms, claiming he couldn’t believe the exams Fernandes had undergone.

“I swear what a load of crap he got this past week,” Ferdinand added.

“I sat there with my mouth wide open and thought, ‘how dare these people talk like that’. He was the most creative player in the league last season.

“He is the most creative player of the season so far. He is the first player to get 10 scoring chances for his teammates from anyone.

“Since joining the club, he has surpassed all other players in terms of goals, chances created and assists.”

After joining the club in 2020, Fernandes has scored 65 goals and 55 assists in 188 appearances in all competitions.

Last year, he provided eight goals and eight assists in all competitions and played in all but one of Man United’s Premier League games.

Although recently named captain, the midfielder has also faced criticism this year, with Micah Richards claiming his on-field antics were detrimental to his side.

Ferdinand instead praised the United captain, claiming that the midfielder stands out more than others in the league because of his character.

“Players like Bruno Fernandes will stand out more than any other player for one reason: they take risks,” he said.

“If he takes a risk and it goes well, they will stand out more than everyone else.

“But if things don’t go well, that’s why there’s a big ‘hurray’ because he’s the one with the big balls and the big cojones going out… You know how scared some players are of taking risks? Do you know what character that has?’

Joel Beya, who also appeared in the episode, asked him, “Do you have any examples of that?” Are there any players you’ve seen the opposite of?’

“I just think they are all great players because there are players who don’t play complicated balls. I’m trying to think of some players who took risks…’ Ferdinand responded.

Beya: “Have you ever seen Scholsey (Paul Scholes) in hiding for a while?”

‘No never. I’ve never seen Scholesy hiding,” the ex-Man United defender replied.

‘That is such a great property that you cannot measure it in graphs and tables. For example, there are times when Bruno has been training for the past week, goes out and takes risks and takes risks and is the most creative player on the team at the weekend – that’s character, you need that.”