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Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has said Pep Guardiola did not deserve his respect after the pair clashed during the derby last Sunday.
Fernandes, 25, has become an instant favourite among the Old Trafford support, and his cult hero status was cemented when he made a shushing gesture towards the Manchester City boss in the 2-0 derby victory.
“I talked about this with some friends and some people think Pep won everything, who is Bruno to do this to him?,” he told Sky Sports.
“I am so respectful of Pep and what he’s won and what he did for football but at that moment, he didn’t respect me and he didn’t deserve my respect.
“But for me, it doesn’t matter what happens on the pitch, now we’re out of it and it’s past. I have respect for him, so it doesn’t matter what he said.”
The Portugal international signed from Sporting CP in January and he has scored three goals and provided three assists in eight appearances.
United are on an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions and Fernandes said the team can still improve.
“I see the same team from one month ago,” Fernandes said. “I think we are the same and have a lot of hunger to win, to give a lot, to do better and better in every game.
“In the last month, we’ve had a lot of really good games and I think we can talk about a new start after Bruno, but it’s not about Bruno, it’s about the team.
“A team changes when everyone pushes together for the same side. When I arrived, I saw the team pushing for the same side and to win games, get better and I’m another player to help.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the midfielder for bringing an “X-Factor” to his side, and Fernandes said the Norwegian’s style of management has helped him adapt to the Premier League.
“It’s difficult because it’s been one month, but he’s always careful with the details and for me, that’s important because it is one of the things which changes football now is looking for the details,” Fernandes added.
“Now you have videos and most teams know what you will do, where you will place the ball, where they need to press so the game becomes harder and harder.
“I think he’s really good on this and he was a footballer so he knows when he needs to talk to players, when he needs to give a good word or sometimes come and push you to give more.
“He wants perfection, which is impossible, but he tries to ask more and more from us.”