Man Utd issue statement after Bruno Fernandes' hacked X account targets INEOS

January 12, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Man Utd issue statement after Bruno Fernandes' hacked X account target INEOS

Manchester United have released an official statement after Bruno Fernandes’ social media account was hacked, briefly posting a message calling for INEOS to be removed amid growing unrest at Old Trafford.

The incident came just hours after United's miserable 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round, a result that ended any remaining hopes of silverware this season.

Overseen by caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, the loss confirmed United's exit from both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle.

Shortly after the match, Fernandes' account on X (formerly Twitter) appeared to post called for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership group, INEOS, to be removed.

The post quickly gained traction among supporters already voicing anger towards the club's hierarchy.

United Confirm Account Was Compromised

United swiftly intervened, issuing a statement late on Sunday night confirming the post did not come from their captain.

Bruno Fernandes' X account has been hacked. Supporters should not engage with any of the posts or direct messages.

It soon became clear something was wrong when Fernandes' account began sharing explicit language, out-of-character reposts - behaviour completely at odds with the midfielder's public persona.

Whilst most of the hacker's posts were later deleted, some replies and reposts remained visible several hours afterwards.

Fernandes' Reputation and United's Turmoil

Despite United's increasingly chaotic situation, those close to Fernandes insist he would never publicly undermine the club.

Since arriving from Sporting CP six years ago, the Portuguese midfielder has built a reputation for leadership, responsibility and loyalty, even as results have deteriorated around him.

Although never short of words on the pitch, Fernandes has consistently shown restraint off it - making the hacked posts immediately suspect to many supporters.

The timing, however, added fuel to the fire.

United's defeat to Brighton followed an already disastrous season, including early exits from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and a shock loss to Grimsby Town earlier in the campaign - the first time in the club's history they had lost to a fourth-tier side in a competitive fixture.

Brighton Defeat Sums Up United's Season

Against Brighton, United dominated 60% possession and registered 19 shots, seven of them on target, but once again failed to capitalise.

Former United striker Danny Welbeck scored twice to knock his old club out, whilst Benjamin Šeško's late goal only briefly raised hopes of a comeback.

Even Fernandes, arguably United's most consistent performer in recent years, was unable to drag his side through.

What Next for Manchester United?

With Ruben Amorim already dismissed and Darren Fletcher in temporary charge, uncertainty continues to swirl around Old Trafford.

Figures such as Jason Wilcox have come under scrutiny, whilst fans increasingly direct their anger at INEOS and Ratcliffe's stewardship of football operations.

United now face a season with just 40 matches, their lowest total since the 1914/15 campaign, which was curtailed by World War I.

The club currently sit seventh in the Premier League, a position that would earn qualification for the Europa Conference League, but European football now hinges entirely on league form and the appointment of a manager capable of restoring stability.

For Fernandes, the hacked post was an unwanted distraction on a painful night, but for United, the deeper issues exposed by another collapse remain far harder to erase.

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