Ex-Premier League referee reveals how Bruno Fernandes 'exploded' at his tunnel icebreaker

Former Premier League referee Graham Scott has recalled the moment Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes “exploded” at him in the tunnel before a 2022 match, after Scott tried to ease the tension with a light-hearted quip about World Cup officials.

Speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast, Scott described waiting in the tunnel shortly after the Qatar World Cup when he spotted Fernandes and decided to introduce himself with a joke. “I just said, ‘Bruno, referees at the World Cup, I assume they were better than Premier League refs?’” Scott recounted. “And he just exploded: ‘They were all terrible, they are the worst referees, we had the worst referees!’”

Scott, who retired last year after a decade in the Premier League having officiated in the top flight from 2015 to 2025, said the exchange ultimately worked in his favour. When he pointed out that Premier League referees perhaps weren’t so bad by comparison, Fernandes shot back: “Well ask me again in a couple of hours.” As it turned out, United won the match and Fernandes gave Scott no trouble on the day.

“In fairness, that day he was great. Well they won, which always helps,” Scott added.

The 57-year-old used the anecdote to make a broader point about the importance of human connection between officials and players. “I think some refs fail to do this — to humanise the relationship. We’re all people. We’ve all got our jobs to do. It helps if we break down those barriers a little bit.”

Fernandes, who joined United from Sporting CP in January 2020, has long been known for wearing his emotions openly on the pitch — whether confronting referees, remonstrating over decisions, or throwing his arms in the air in frustration. Yet his on-field intensity has been matched by remarkable productivity: in six-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, the Portuguese midfielder has surpassed 100 goals and 100 assists in just over 300 appearances.

The 31-year-old was named Premier League Player of the Season in May after recording a record-breaking 21 league assists, becoming the first United player to claim the award since Nemanja Vidic in 2011.

Now under manager Michael Carrick, Fernandes will look to carry that form into the 2026/27 season, with United opening their Premier League campaign on Saturday away to newly promoted Hull City.