Ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, claims to know who would captain his team in Bruno Fernandes’ absence against Liverpool.
United knows they will be missing their captain for Sunday’s game, Fernandes, due to suspension, which only serves to compound the Red Devils’ injury issues. The midfielder received his fifth yellow card of the season for dissent six days ago after let his anger get the better of him as Bournemouth was leading 3-0.
Any team losing its leader will undoubtedly be somewhat disorganized, but ten Hag is optimistic that things won’t become too messy at Anfield. In a direct response to reporters during his most recent news conference, he said, “Yes, I know [who my captain will be].”
With no other information provided, it leaves room for conjecture on the player who will represent Liverpool’s opponents in a crucial match. Marcus Rashford, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Tom Heaton, and Luke Shaw make up ten Hag’s five-man leadership group in addition to the Portuguese international.
Two of those players almost certainly won’t be included. Casemiro is one of the long-term absentees who is not available for selection, and Heaton, 37, serves as Andre Onana’s only backup in goal.
That means Shaw, who overcame a fitness scare, Rashford, who recovered from illness, and Varane, who returned to action on Tuesday, will compete for the armband.