Michael Owen questions whether Bruno Fernandes 'fancied' Man United's upcoming clash with Liverpool, after Red Devils captain picked up a suspension for Anfield trip

Michael Owen has questioned whether Bruno Fernandes 'fancied' Manchester United's trip to Liverpool after the midfielder picked a suspension for the match. 

Playmaker Fernandes was shown a yellow card by referee Peter Bankes for dissent during the dying stages of his side's humiliating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

The caution, given after an argument with the official, was his fifth of the season, meaning he will be forced to watch the showdown at Anfield, next Sunday, from the stands. 

Reflecting on the incident, which came in the 84th minute against the Cherries, Owen suggested that Fernandes needs to become more of a 'leader for the team' 

According to The Mirror, he said: 'I wonder how many yellow cards he's had for dissent and waving his arms about.

'Possibly you don't fancy going to Anfield. I wouldn't at the moment. I'm not sure you're thinking of the next game when you're in the thick of playing.

'He should be responsible, he should be a good ambassador, a leader for the team. We all know referees are clamping down on that and he gets booked an awful lot for a player who hardly puts his foot in and tackles really he gets booked an awful lot.'

United remain three points adrift of the Champions League places after their home setback to Andoni Iraola's side but have played a game more than their rivals.

Dominic Solanke made an early breakthrough to stun the crowd, before second-half goals from Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi capped off a miserable outing. 

Fernandes has started every Premier League game for United this season, scoring five goals and racking up five assists across the top-flight and Champions League. 

His booking will see him serve out a one-match ban.

The 29-year-old's yellow card came in the 84th minute, when the visitors were already leading by three goals, after a foul on Bournemouth defender Adam Smith.

He will prove a big miss for United on Merseyside. Last season, Ten Hag's side were crushed in a 7-0 demolition job and will be heavy underdogs again this campaign.

United's victory against Chelsea in mid-week restored a semblance of hope at the club, though this optimism was punctured following the latest surprise setback. 

Post-match, Fernandes took aim at United's lack of consistency.

'We lacked many things and that's why we don't get the result today,' he said.

'Everything was lower than the levels in the game before and that's why when you play teams like Bournemouth, who are really aggressive, they press you, and you think it's going to be easy, you get these kind of results.