Bruno Fernandes was captured on camera engaging with Aston Villa supporters from the substitutes’ bench during Manchester United’s loss to the Midlands outfit. The Portuguese midfielder had been forced off through injury and was watching proceedings from the dugout.

With his hood pulled up whilst Villa fans jeered, Fernandes could be seen turning towards them with a response. “You sing more for me than for your team,” he said with a big grin on his face. “Don’t be angry because I score always against you.” The Villa faithful responded with ironic applause as a United staff member ushered Fernandes back into his seat to face the action.

The Red Devils skipper’s amusement may have been short-lived as Morgan Rogers struck twice, either side of Mathues Cunha’s goal to secure a 10th consecutive victory for Unai Emery’s side. Fernandes was unable to enhance his own formidable record against Villa during the first half.

The 31-year-old has found the net more frequently against Villa than against any other opposition. United’s talisman has netted seven times in 13 outings, while providing three assists.

He had precious little to celebrate following the defeat and received concerning news regarding his injury. Fernandes faces the prospect of a month-long absence.

Ruben Amorim expressed uncertainty over the extent of an injury Fernandes: “It’s a soft tissue, I think he’s going to lose some games,” he said. “I don’t know for sure. Let’s see. I don’t know. I don’t what to talk about matters you can’t control.

“He is a guy who is always fit, so he might recover quite well. I think Kobbie Mainoo is out, Bruno is out. We will see. No excuses, we need to win the next game and we will try to win the next game.”

Despite the absence of key player Fernandes, Gary Neville, former United captain, felt that United were superior in their clash with Villa. He was encouraged by the performance under Amorim’s leadership.

“I thought it was a really good performance, but the details of the two goals have cost them,” he said. “Now that’s going to continue to happen whilst they don’t have the likes of Harry Maguire and Matthijs De Ligt, and they don’t have players that would make them a lot stronger.

“I don’t think they are anywhere near good enough to get into that top three, but what I have seen in these last two games is a couple of things. One, the manager has changed, quite obviously, the system that he said he would never change – the five or the three at the back, the two in midfield, the two wing backs and the three up front – has been thrown out of the window in the last two matches. That’s a good thing.”