Nani DEFENDS Bruno Fernandes and argues ‘he gives his all’ for Man United despite criticism of his attitude… claiming other players ‘don’t keep up’ with the Portuguese captain and have ‘no spirit of sacrifice’

• Nani has opposed criticism of Bruno Fernandes’ attitude, saying he ‘gives his all’
• Roy Keane urged Erik ten Hag to strip the Portuguese midfielder of the armband
• Is Erik ten Hag out of his depth at Man United? Listen here to It’s All Kicking Off 

Former Manchester United star Nani has defended Bruno Fernandes despite the club’s captain having his attitude questioned. 

Nani argued that Fernandes ‘gives his all’ for the club but hit out at other players, saying there is ‘no spirit of sacrifice’. 

Fernandes was castigated by Roy Keane after United’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City as the legend said he is the ‘complete opposite of what a captain should be’. 

Erik ten Hag installed the midfielder as skipper in the summer after stripping Harry Maguire of the armband, but he has not convinced everybody of his leadership credentials. 

However, Nani praised his former Sporting and Portugal team-mate. ‘Manchester [United] already has great players. We have Bruno Fernandes. ‘If Bruno Fernandes wasn’t playing well, I’d criticise him too, but for example, the sacrifice and effort he puts into the game, he does it,’ he told Portuguese podcast 1 PARA 1 via Metro. 

Nani said Bruno Fernandes ‘gives his all’ for Manchester United and said his team-mates show ‘no spirit or sacrifice’

The United skipper’s attitude has been questioned by pundits as he is accused of moaning

Roy Keane urged his former club to strip the Portuguese midfielder of the armband 

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‘We see it. He works hard, gives his all, and contributes. It’s just that many others don’t keep up with it.

‘When we used to play at Manchester [United], one of the things that defined the club was that you could be losing 3-0 with 15 minutes, 10 minutes left in a game, and that’s when you saw what mental strength means.

‘It’s no longer about talent, it’s about pushing the ball into the goal. We did that, we did what was necessary.

‘Now, when you watch Manchester play, you see a lot of talent, maybe more talent than in our time in terms of technique, and they’re all technically gifted.

‘But when you watch the game, there’s no spirit of sacrifice, no fighting spirit… a real player, a star, at Manchester, has to unlock the game – if they don’t, it won’t work.’

Nani won four Premier League titles and one Champions League with Manchester United, racking up 230 appearances at the club between 2007 and 2015. 

His defence of his former team-mate sits in stark contrast to the criticism of Keane who said: ‘The first thing I would do is take the captaincy off him. I know it’s a big decision but Fernandes is not captain material.

‘He’s a talented player, but what I saw today [against Manchester City], he’s whingeing, he’s moaning, he’s throwing his arms up in the air constantly.

Nani and Fernandes have played alongside each other for Sporting and Portugal

Pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag to change something as United have had abysmal form

Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as the club’s captain over the summer but despite his talent, pundits question his work ethic

‘It really isn’t acceptable. When you’re talking about where do they make changes – board level, managers – I’d start with that because the manager is capable of doing that.

‘Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but he’s the opposite to what you want in a captain.’

United have endured their worst start to a season since 1962/63, losing eight of their opening 15 games.

They have also lost five of their first 10 home games at Old Trafford for the first time since 1930-31. 

Ten Hag will be hoping they can make amends when they meet Fulham at 12.30pm on Saturday, with the Londoners having won just one of their last five Premier League outings.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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