Ten Hag confirms Fernandes will remain Man United captain
Bruno Fernandes will KEEP the Man United stand-in captaincy, Erik ten Hag insists, even though his own team-mates are irritated by his behaviour… as boss hails ‘inspiring’ star and says ‘no-one’s perfect’!
- Sportsmail revealed Fernandes’ team-mates were frustrated at his behaviour
- But Erik ten Hag says he’ll keep the captain’s armband if Harry Maguire is out
- United manager will hope for a response when his side host Real Betis
Erik ten Hag insists Bruno Fernandes will remain as Manchester United captain in Harry Maguire’s absence despite fierce criticism of the Portugal star’s petulant attitude in Sunday’s 7-0 hammering at Liverpool.
Fernandes came under fire for feigning injury – going down holding his face when defender Ibrahima Konate’s left hand brushed his chest – pushing a linesman and then refusing to track back when Stefan Bajcetic went past him towards the end of United’s record-equalling defeat.
There were also accusations that Fernandes asked to be taken off when Anthony Elanga replaced Marcus Rashford in the 85th minute, although United sources have since said that he was only clarifying with the coaching staff if he was changing position.
It has led to calls in some quarters for Ten Hag to take the armband off Fernandes, who has captained the team for the majority of the season with Maguire unable to get into the team.
However, the manager threw his support by the Portugal star, saying: ‘He’s playing a brilliant season. He’s had a really important role in why we’re in the position we are.
Bruno Fernandes will continue to captain Manchester United despite criticism of his actions during Sunday’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool
The Portuguese midfielder did not react well to United’s seven-goal hiding at Anfield
Erik ten Hag said Fernandes will continue to lead the team, calling him an ‘inspiration’
‘He’s giving energy to the team, not only running a lot at the highest intensity but in the right way and right direction. He’s coaching players, he’s an inspiration.
‘But no-one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. We have to learn and he has to learn. He will because he’s intelligent. I’m happy to have Bruno Fernandes in the team and he will be captain when Harry isn’t on the pitch.’
Appearing alongside Ten Hag at a press conference to preview Thursday’s Europa League last 16 tie against Real Betis, Rashford also gave Fernandes a vote of confidence and suggested that he was only acting out of a desperation to win.
‘I love playing with Bruno,’ said the England star. ‘For a forward like me, he’s a perfect player to play with. He’s been a good leader for us even when he’s not been captain, which is always a good sign.
‘He’s helped other players become better leaders and the reality is we can’t be organised with just one leader being captain. He’s done a lot in terms of bringing in his leadership skills, that was from the moment he arrived.
‘Like the manager said, nobody is perfect. Sometimes you want to win so bad you end up doing things a little out of character. As a team we have to support him because he’s a fantastic player.’
Sportsmail revealed that many of Fernandes’ team-mates were irritated by his behaviour even before Sunday’s humiliating defeat.
The 28-year-old has captained United on a regular basis with Maguire not featuring in too many games under Ten Hag.
Fernandes clutched his face when Ibrahima Konate caught the midfielder in the chest
Many at United – players included – were irritated by Fernandes’ behaviour on Sunday
Man United fixtures
Premier League unless stated
Thursday Real Betis (H)
Europa League last-16, first leg
Sunday Southampton (H)
March 16 Real Betis (A)
Europa League last-16, second leg
March 19 Fulham (H)
FA Cup quarter-final
April 2 Newcastle United (A)
April 5 Brentford (H)
With the England defender expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, Fernandes will be among the contenders to take the captaincy on a permanent basis next season.
However, sources indicated there are reservations inside the United camp over whether Fernandes has the right attributes to be full-time captain.
Many at United – players included – were annoyed by his behaviour at Anfield, including the way he appeared to head straight for the tunnel at the full-time whistle rather than acknowledging those away fans who’d stayed behind.
A number of other episodes involving Fernandes on Sunday drew criticism of his behaviour.
The 28-year-old went down clutching his face in the second half even though replays showed that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate’s trailing left hand caught him in the chest.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branded Fernandes ‘a disgrace’ for questioning why he wasn’t being taken off when Ten Hag made more changes late in the game, although club sources last night claimed that he was actually asking whether he should play through the middle or on the right flank when Anthony Elanga was coming on for Marcus Rashford.
Fernandes was also criticised for giving linesman Adam Nunn a push in the back, with Sportsmail pundits Chris Sutton and Simon Jordan among those calling for him to be punished.
Ten Hag has entrusted Fernandes with the captain’s armband often in Maguire’s absence
Bruno Fernandes has escaped punishment from the FA for pushing the linesman on Sunday
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