In light of his team’s dismal start to the season, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s choice to name Bruno Fernandes the new club captain has drawn criticism.
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The fragmented performance that led to his team’s 2-0 loss against Spurs on Saturday is only one of the many things the Dutch manager is reflecting on right now. In addition, it was announced on Monday that Mason Greenwood would be departing the team, despite rumors that Ten Hag had supported his reintegration into the first team.
And now the focus is immediately on his choice as skipper. The 28-year-old Fernandes put on an unpredictable performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, putting in a beautiful “rabona”-style cross only to head over from close range minutes later.
This summer, after Ten Hag robbed Harry Maguire of the distinction, the Portuguese star was given the armband. Last year, he frequently played that role, notably in the FA Cup final when Maguire wasn’t chosen for the starting lineup.
However, Andy Townsend and Ally McCoist of talkSPORT don’t seem to be impressed by the call. Townsend, who in his playing career led both Aston Villa and Ireland, even asked if Ten Hag had a hidden agenda. “Many clubs now make players captains because they want them to stick around. He claimed that they wanted to keep them there.
“I don’t think he (Fernandes) is captain’s material. Too many times now I see people given the armband, not because they’re the right man for the job, but because he’s the senior player, or the top man, or biggest asset.”
