Jose Mourinho has criticised Bruno Fernandes for not delivering the same performances for Portugal at Euro 2020 as he has been doing for Manchester United for the past 18 months.
Fernandes has revolutionised United since arriving in Manchester in January 2020, finishing his first full season with a remarkable 28 goals in all competitions from midfield.
The 26-year-old even scored twice and got an assist in Portugal’s final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2020, a 4-0 thrashing of Israel in Lisbon, but he has been disappointing in Group F matches against Hungary and Germany at the actual tournament so far.
Fernandes started both games but was substituted before the end in each, only managing 64 minutes in the latter 4-2 defeat to Germany.
“Portugal at its highest level can beat anyone. But we need to play with eleven players, in these two matches Bruno Fernandes was on the pitch but not playing,” Mourinho told talkSPORT.
“I hope he turns up against France, because he's a player with incredible potential. He can pass, he can score. He can get penalties, he can score penalties, he can score free-kicks. He has a lot to give, but the reality is in these two matches he was not there.”
Portugal face France in Budapest in their final Group F game knowing that another defeat would leave them third in the standings and in danger of missing out the knockout stages depending on their final goal difference compared to other third place teams.
A draw would guarantee progression as at least one of the four best third place teams, but Portugal will only win Group F if they beat France and Germany fail to beat Hungary.
Only France have already secured a place in the knockout stages, with each of the other three teams in the group in danger of elimination.
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Source: 90min
