Portuguese media slam 'hologram' Bruno Fernandes after his display vs Spain
Portuguese media have criticised Man United star Bruno Fernandes for his role in their World Cup exit against Spain on Monday night.
Fernandes headed into the World Cup in stellar form after breaking the Premier League's single-season assist record on the final day of the domestic campaign.
Portugal were installed as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in New Jersey ahead of the tournament, but things have not panned out that way.
Roberto Martinez's side were dumped out of the World Cup by rivals Spain at the round of 16 stage on Monday as Mikel Merino sealed a 1-0 win in added time.
Fernandes registered one assist in five matches at the tournament and failed to deliver in the biggest moments against the Spaniards.
He has struggled to ever truly replicate his club form on the international stage over the last few years, and doubts remain over his impact alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
While the 31-year-old is set to play a key role at Old Trafford once more next season, he has been slammed by national media for his struggles in the Portugal side.
Bruno Fernandes was a 'mere shadow' of himself during Portugal vs Spain
Fernandes' sole assist in the tournament came against minnows Uzbekistan, and he was taken off early as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia in the round of 32.
Martinez stuck with him in attacking midfield against Spain, but Fernandes failed to register a shot on target, took just one touch in the opponents' area and only won two ground duels.
His performance was symptomatic of the team's struggles to break down a top side, and national media did not hold back in their verdict of how Fernandes played.
A Bola handed him a rating of five, and said: "A hologram of the man who finished the last Premier League season as the league’s top player was in Dallas. He only had one shot on goal (76’), but even that didn’t go his way: while he usually finds the back of the net so often, this time he did so again—but wide of the goal."
While CNN Portugal's rating was the same and their review was similar, as they wrote: "Fernandes was once again the scapegoat for Martinez’s national team. Given the insistence on Cristiano Ronaldo’s undisputed starting spot and the need to press high, it fell to the number eight to lead the first line of pressure against the Spanish defenders.
"By the 60th minute, there was only an exhausted Fernandes left on the field, a mere shadow of the Premier League’s best player. Notable moments included two good through balls for Nuno Mendes to run on to, at the 15’ and 31’ marks; a poorly executed pass behind the Spanish defence at the 45’ mark; and a shot that ultimately went wide after a rebound off a Vitinha pass at the 75’ mark."
Which United players are still in the World Cup as it stands?
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that United want to hijack Newcastle's move for Johan Manzambi, who has been impressing at the World Cup with Switzerland and could be Fernandes' long-term number 10 successor.
He remains at the tournament as Switzerland face Colombia for a place in the quarter-finals, with just five current Red Devils still competing for glory in North America.
Noussair Mazraoui has been starring for Morocco, who are set to take on France in the quarters, while Lisandro Martinez has been a key part of the Argentina side so far.
Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are in England's ranks as they prepare to take on Norway, while Senne Lammens' Belgium progressed with a win over the USA on Tuesday morning.