Over these past few weeks with Manchester United, there has been a feeling with Bruno Fernandes that the red mist could fall at any given moment.
In what has been a turbulent start to the season at Old Trafford, Fernandes has been sent off twice in his last three games.
Granted, his red card against Tottenham was subsequently overturned. As for his dismissal in a Europa League clash with Porto? Well, the less said the better.
Fernandes has fallen well short of the standards one would expect from a Manchester United captain, something which he admitted only a few days ago.
Speaking prior to Portugal’s 3-1 Nations League victory over Poland, he was asked about his form at club level and how it contrasts with the national team.
Fernandes has become almost as synonymous with moaning as he once was for scoring
Fernandes remonstrates with the referee after his controversial sending off against Spurs
The midfielder signals his disapproval after seeing red in Porto for the second game in a row
‘It’s not a positive moment [at United],’ said the midfielder. ‘We’re not winning games. The national team space is completely different. I’ve felt very at ease.
‘The dynamics are very good. I’m in my country, I speak my language and I have better food. I have demonstrated a good level in the national team.
‘It’s a space where I feel good and I feel like I can enjoy my football at a very high level, due to the dynamics we have and the quality I have at my side.’
Fernandes has yet to score in 11 games for United this season. His form has been poor as the club have stumbled from one disaster to another under Erik ten Hag.
But, when he wears the colours of Portugal, Fernandes looks like a different player. He was excellent in the victory over Poland in Warsaw at the weekend.
All of which begs the question — what version of Bruno Fernandes can Scotland expect to face at Hampden tonight? The petulant man-child who spits the dummy on a weekly basis at Old Trafford, or the midfield maestro who has fired 24 goals in 74 caps for his country.
Fernandes turned 30 last month and should be at the peak of his powers. He signed a new contract with United back in August worth £300,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.
Fernandes saw red for this trip on Spurs’ James Maddison, though it was later overturned
But he continues to split opinion. To some United fans, he’s the player they feel the team should be built around. To others, they see him as an empty jersey too often in big games.
The many faces of Bruno Fernandes: it could well be the title to his memoirs in years to come. He is a player who continues to excite and exasperate in equal measure.
Acknowledging that his form has dipped at Old Trafford, he said: ‘As for the club, I want to improve as soon as I get back there and make sure the goals start coming again.
‘I have to take responsibility for that. I’m a midfielder who scores a lot of goals, and over the years I’ve always been at a very high level in terms of goals. I have to live up to those expectations.
‘I also have my own standards, I don’t hold back on that. I haven’t scored for the club yet this season and I hope that as soon as I get back there I can score and help the club get back to winning ways and to a good level.’
Fernandes celebrates his equalising goal against Scotland in Lisbon last month
Despite his struggles at club level, Scotland would be wise to pay close attention to Fernandes in tonight’s Nations League clash at Hampden.
He scored when the teams met in Lisbon last month, netting the equaliser to cancel out Scott McTominay’s opener, before Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late winner for the hosts.
Indeed, the midfield battle between Fernandes and McTominay could well be pivotal. Former team-mates at Old Trafford, both players are key figures for their national teams.
McTominay has 11 goals in 55 caps for Scotland, most of which have come in an incredible burst over the past 18 months.
He has carried that form with him to Italy, scoring twice in his first five games for Napoli this season after leaving Old Trafford to join the Serie A giants back in August.
McTominay has spread his wings and flown the nest after spending the best part of 20 years at Old Trafford, from academy prospect to first-team regular.
Whilst there will be a healthy dose of mutual respect on both sides, there’s also a chance there could be a few tasty tackles if he and Fernandes were to find themselves in the same area of the pitch.
Fernandes will go head-to-head with former team-mate McTominay in the middle of the park
Following a defeat to Brighton at the start of last season, it was reported that Fernandes and McTominay had a heated exchange in a dressing-room bust-up.
Indeed, critics would argue that there aren’t many players left at Old Trafford with whom Fernandes *hasn’t* fallen out with at some point or another.
Scotland will hope to give him something to sulk about if they can defy the odds and claim a famous victory.
On a wretched run of form, Steve Clarke’s men haven’t won a competitive match in over a year. Few would give them much chance of changing that against a free-flowing Portugal side.
Fernandes will look to pull the strings and create chances. He can also be lethal in front of goal if afforded time and space.
But, as his struggles at club level demonstrate, he blows hot and cold. For Scotland, keeping Fernandes quiet will be key to any chance of achieving a positive result.