Manchester United have been forced into a damage-control operation after a string of high-profile posts from Bruno Fernandes’ official X account sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Following United’s disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton on Sunday, the captain’s profile became the center of a social media storm, prompting an urgent clarification from the club hierarchy.
The most explosive post involved a direct swipe at the club’s minority owners, with a message simply stating: “Let’s get rid of INEOS.” The post, which appeared just hours after the final whistle at Old Trafford, immediately went viral, leading many to wonder if the 31-year-old had finally reached a breaking point with the direction of the club under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s leadership.
A Night of Digital Chaos
It soon became apparent that the account had been compromised. Alongside the anti-ownership rhetoric, the hacker targeted several high-profile figures, including a bizarre challenge to darts sensation Luke Littler for a 1v1 game on EA FC 26. The posts also took aim at the England cricket team following their Ashes defeat and shared an image of United’s infamous 7-0 loss to Liverpool—a move clearly designed to cause maximum embarrassment.
Manchester United were quick to intervene, releasing an official statement to distance the Portuguese playmaker from the activity. “Bruno Fernandes’s X account has been hacked,” the club confirmed. “Supporters should not engage with any of the posts or direct messages.” In a surreal twist, the compromised account even replied to the club’s warning, mockingly promising to “spread the word.”
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
The timing of the hack has only added to the sense of crisis at Old Trafford. With United now out of all cup competitions and sitting seventh in the Premier League, the “anti-INEOS” sentiment tapped into a genuine vein of frustration among the match-going supporters.
Interim boss Darren Fletcher, who oversaw the 2-1 loss to Brighton, now faces the task of refocusing a “fragile” squad before the Manchester derby. While the offensive posts have since been deleted and the account restored, the incident serves as another unwanted distraction in a season that continues to spiral for the Red Devils.
The Aftermath of the Hack
While the technical breach has been resolved, the fallout from the “six-word” attack on the club’s ownership continues to linger. The incident has highlighted the immense pressure currently surrounding the leadership at Old Trafford, both on and off the pitch. For the club’s captain, the focus must now shift from digital damage control back to the field, as he looks to galvanize a squad that appears increasingly disconnected from its frustrated supporters.