Three years ago, on a grim March afternoon in 2023, Manchester United suffered a 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool. It was the club's heaviest defeat since Boxing Day 1931, a scoreline that felt less like a football match and more like a public execution. For Erik ten Hag's men, who had just lifted the League Cup at Wembley a week earlier, the collapse was as shocking as it was complete. But amid the wreckage, one player's performance stood out for all the wrong reasons: Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese midfielder, wearing the captain's armband in Harry Maguire's absence, had been a symbol of United's revival. In 166 games for the club, he had racked up 57 goals and 50 assists, often dragging his team through difficult moments with sheer force of will. When United played well, Fernandes was the heartbeat. When they struggled, however, his flaws were laid bare for the world to see. And at Anfield, they were exposed in the most brutal fashion.

From the first whistle, Fernandes seemed off. As Liverpool's goals piled up, his body language deteriorated. He pushed a linesman. He appeared to ask to be substituted when the score reached 6-0. He dived in a desperate attempt to win a penalty. He went down clutching his face after a brush on the chest. He moaned at officials, at teammates, at anyone within earshot. And worst of all, he simply gave up.

The most damning moment came late in the game. Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic nipped in front of Fernandes and looked to race down the line. Initially, Fernandes caught up with the teenager, but instead of making a proper challenge, he attempted to scythe him down. Bajcetic skipped away unscathed, and Fernandes simply walked back, his effort nonexistent. It was a snapshot of a player who had completely checked out.

After the final whistle, the backlash was immediate and ferocious. Gary Neville, the former United captain, did not hold back. "I've had enough of him throwing his arms around at his teammates; I've had enough of him not running back; he whinges at everybody," Neville said. "He's embarrassing." Roy Keane, never one to mince words, added: "Fernandes' body language today was disgraceful." And Chris Sutton, writing for the Daily Mail, delivered the most cutting verdict of all, labelling him 'The Incredible Sulk.'

"Bruno Fernandes, take a bow for one of the worst performances we have seen from a Premier League player, certainly from a captain," Sutton wrote. "The Incredible Sulk racked up quite the rap sheet at Anfield. There was nothing professional about this behaviour. It was more befitting a petulant child, and the push on the assistant should result in a ban, no ifs and buts."

To his credit, Fernandes faced the music in a post-match interview, but the damage was done. The performance raised serious questions about his suitability as captain. Should Maguire continue to be sidelined, would Ten Hag look to more composed leaders like Casemiro or Raphael Varane? The debate raged for weeks.

Let's break down the incidents that defined his afternoon:

😤 It was a masterclass in petulance, a captain's armband worn by a player who seemed more interested in self-preservation than leading his team. For United fans, it was a painful watch, a reminder that even the most talented players can crumble when the storm hits.

Three years on, that 7-0 defeat remains a scar on United's history. Fernandes has since had moments of brilliance, but the memory of that afternoon at Anfield lingers. It serves as a cautionary tale: talent alone does not make a captain. Leadership requires composure, resilience, and the ability to lift others when everything is falling apart. On that day, Bruno Fernandes displayed none of those qualities. Instead, he showed the world exactly what a captain should never be.

As the 2025-26 season unfolds, the debate over Fernandes' legacy continues. Has he matured? Has he learned from that dark day? Only time will tell. But for those who witnessed the 7-0, the image of a sulking, defeated captain walking back as Liverpool celebrated is one that will never fade. 🤦‍♂️