Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair has accused Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo of setting a bad example for Manchester United's young players after not applauding their travelling army of away supporters against Newcastle United.
Following Monday evening's 1-1 draw at St James' Park, which saw Edinson Cavani earn a point for the Reds after Allan Saint-Maximin handed Newcastle an early lead, both Fernandes and Ronaldo headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, opposed to applauding the travelling contingent of United supporters high up in the Leazes Stand.
United, despite producing a sluggish and forgettable performance, always had the backing of their supporters, who often make themselves heard when following Ralf Rangnick's side up and down the country.
But whilst several of the players went over to the away end at the end contest, Ronaldo and Fernandes ignored the travelling contingent and headed straight back for the away dressing room, something that Ronaldo has done more than once already this season.
For Sinclair, who spent four years applying his trade on the blue half of Manchester for City, Ronaldo and Fernandes have set a bad precedent for United's youngsters, insisting the Portuguese duo are the the players they ought to be looking up to.
Sinclair told talkSPORT : "If you're not valuing your fans and, at least you have not been beaten and sent packing with your tails between your legs, why don't you just go over and say thanks for supporting us?
"I do criticise Manchester United, at times, for their performances and, potentially, at Old Trafford for how quiet they can be. But their away fans are unbelievable, just like most clubs' away fans.
"They go to have a good time and go to sing a lot. Manchester United are famous for that.
"To not even go over and give them a little round of applause to appreciate and value the fans, I think that is poor and it sets a bad example to the young players.
"There is a lot of good, young players at that football club and they have got a responsibility to make sure they do things right. At the moment it doesn't look like that is happening."
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