Man Utd players frustrated by Bruno Fernandes – who now might lose captaincy

Manchester United players were reportedly left frustrated by Bruno Fernandes’ shocking display as captain in the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Fernandes has come under fire by fans and sections of the media for his lack of leadership during Sunday’s humiliation at Anfield.

The Portuguese playmaker, who has taken over the captaincy this season after Harry Maguire fell out of favour with Erik ten Hag, raised eyebrows with his behaviour throughout the drubbing.

READ MORE: 'Bruno Fernandes should be stripped of captaincy – alternatives are waiting at Man Utd'

With Maguire set to leave Old Trafford in the summer and the role of full-time captain becoming available, many would have tipped Fernandes to succeed the Englishman.

But The Daily Mail claim sources close to United have said several people inside the club do not believe Fernandes is a suitable candidate for captaincy after Sunday’s showing. It is reported even some United players were “irritated” by the 28-year-old’s behaviour on the pitch.

Fernandes appeared to head towards the tunnel at full-time without acknowledging the United fans who had remained to support their side. He was eventually urged by Raphael Varane to recognise their support.

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Before that, the midfielder had rather embarrassingly thrown himself to the ground in an attempt to get Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate sent off. Fernandes claimed the Frenchman had struck him in the face, but replays quickly showed the contact to be to his shoulder and minimal.

Gary Neville then noted how Fernandes had apparently requested to be taken off 15 minutes before the end of the match, labelling him a “disgrace” as the No.8 moped around.

Fernandes proceeded to kick out at Liverpool players. He let 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic gallop past him with a half-hearted attempt for the ball, before merely standing still and watching.

The Portugal international’s display was made complete in the 90th minute when he kicked Trent Alexander-Arnold and then shoved linesman Adam Nunn in the back when he didn't award a free-kick.

Yet the hesitation over awarding Fernandes’ full-time captaincy predates Sunday’s defeat, with his constant whingeing and general demeanour on the field rubbing people up the wrong way.

Possible alternatives to Fernandes as the next United skipper are Varane, David de Gea and Casemiro, though the language barrier could prove an obstacle towards the latter being handed the armband.

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• 'Bruno Fernandes is play-acting as Man Utd captain – Roy Keane would have b*****ked us'
• 'Most shameful captaincy performance ever' proves Bruno Fernandes doesn't deserve armband
• Erik ten Hag's savage punishment for Man Utd flops after 7-0 Liverpool mauling

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