Michael Owen is the latest to lay into Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, joking that he intentionally got suspended to avoid playing Liverpool next weekend.

To compile more misery on the Reds’ bitter rivals in their 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, Fernandes was reprimanded for dissent towards referee Peter Bankes.

It was his fifth booking of the campaign and like others before him will now have to sit out for one match as punishment – it just so happens that the fixture in question is United’s trip to Anfield on December 17.

Throughout his time in England the 29-year-old’s attitude has come into question, especially since being made United’s club captain ahead of the season’s start.

And after this latest incident Owen pulled no punches in his assessment of Fernandes.

“I wonder how many yellow cards he’s had for dissent and waving his arms about,” the former striker of both clubs told Premier League Productions. “Possibly you don’t fancy going to Anfield – I wouldn’t at the moment!”

Richard Keys and Andy Gray have already discussed the idea that the No.8 purposefully got suspended to avoid Liverpool, whilst Owen only joked on that topic. Instead he took a disappointed tone.