BREAKING NEWS: Ole Gunnar Solskjær Urges Manchester United to Bench star player Ahead of Europa League Final Against Tottenham
Ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao, a wave of controversy has swept through the football world following explosive claims attributed to former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, suggesting that Bruno Fernandes should not feature in the showdown against Tottenham Hotspur. The reported remarks, which describe Fernandes as detrimental to the team’s success and label him a “pathetic loser,” have sparked intense debate among fans and pundits. Solskjær allegedly warned that starting Fernandes would be tantamount to handing Spurs the trophy, even going so far as to suggest he’d prefer another player in that position, possibly implying Mason Mount, although the phrasing was ambiguous.
These comments have raised eyebrows not just because of their harshness, but also due to Fernandes’ stellar performance this season. The Portuguese midfielder has tallied 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions and recently earned the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the fourth time—matching a record held by Cristiano Ronaldo. His consistent influence on the pitch has been central to United’s campaign, making the criticism seem at odds with his actual contributions.
Although Fernandes has occasionally been scrutinized for his performances in big games—such as his underwhelming showing at Euro 2020, where he was dropped from the Portuguese starting lineup—the timing and intensity of the alleged outburst from Solskjær seem unusual. It’s especially surprising given Solskjær’s history of diplomacy and support for players during his managerial tenure.
Current United boss Ruben Amorim has stood by Fernandes, praising his relentless work ethic, leadership, and value to the squad. Amorim sees him as integral to the team’s drive for success, particularly in high-pressure moments like a European final. As anticipation builds for the match against Spurs, the question of whether Fernandes starts remains hotly debated, but Amorim’s faith in his captain suggests he is likely to feature.
However, closer inspection reveals that this story may be more fiction than fact. No reputable media outlet has published such quotes from Solskjær, and the language used in the supposed statements doesn’t align with his typically respectful public persona. In the absence of any credible source or direct interview, the inflammatory remarks appear unsubstantiated—possibly the product of misinformation or deliberate fabrication. Until proven otherwise, this controversial episode should be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism.
