Bruno Fernandes is “obviously not a leader”, according to Graeme Souness, who has criticised Erik ten Hag’s decision to back the Portuguese midfielder after his “appalling” showing at Anfield.
Back in March, Fernandes’ actions in the second-half of their 7-0 defeat to Liverpool were labelled “embarrassing” by many, including Gary Neville.
The 28-year-old showed his frustration towards a number of his Manchester United teammates throughout, and appeared to push a linesman in the back as he entered the field of play.
Ten Hag, however, decided to overlook the incidents, describing Fernandes as someone who ‘inspires’ his colleagues.
Fernandes has continued to wear the captain’s armband when Harry Maguire doesn’t start games.
But former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness believes Ten Hag will regret his decision to give Fernandes the captaincy role.
“Bruno Fernandes is obviously not a leader, it’s as plain as the nose on the end of your face,” Souness said on the Up Front With Simon Jordan podcast.
“His attitude when they went 3-0 down at Liverpool was appalling. You certainly would not want to be in the trenches with him.
“When you become a captain of a football team it’s about setting an example on the pitch and off it. To have a successful football club, you need good senior players and professionals.
“I look at myself when I walked through the door in Liverpool, how I changed in the seven years I was there, and what I was like when I left. I wasn’t the best player when I walked through the door, but I learned from some very serious football players, and seven years later when I become a senior, I like to think that I passed that information on.”
Souness added: “In the case of Bruno, you’ll see him be a star when you’re on top of the opposition and on the front foot, and he can be a real talent, but he showed a side to him that day at Anfield which was very unattractive.
“Erik ten Hag has then chosen to overlook it because he knows going forward that Bruno will win him games and score goals. But he’ll think, the next time he comes up against a really difficult situation, is he going to go missing? I think he already knows the answer to that.”
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, believes Fernandes is destined to become the club’s permanent captain next season.
After their 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the end of last month, Ferdinand said on his FIVE podcast: “We deserved to win the game. Did you see Bruno’s numbers? Wow. “The guy – it’s remarkable what he is doing.
“If he was at Arsenal he’d probably have a statue now at the Emirates with the numbers he has done!
“Does Bruno take the captaincy next year? 100 per cent… I think he does. Since Bruno signed, he has been the most impactful player we have had. He’s wearing the armband while Maguire doesn’t play.
He added: “I think it is a natural progression for him to be captain next season.”
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