Erik ten Hag Advised to Strip Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd Captaincy

Alan Pardew has suggested that Bruno Fernandes may perform better without the responsibility of the Manchester United captaincy, arguing that it could free the Portuguese star to play his natural game.

Erik ten Hag Advised to Strip Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd Captaincy

Erik ten Hag has been advised to reconsider his decision to make Bruno Fernandes Manchester United’s captain, with former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew suggesting that the responsibility may be hampering the Portuguese star’s performance.

Fernandes, who was named club captain at the start of the 2023/24 season, has found himself under scrutiny following Manchester United’s inconsistent start to the season, including a recent disappointing defeat against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Pardew, a veteran manager in the Premier League, expressed his concerns on talkSPORT, pointing out that Fernandes’ role as captain might be affecting his natural game.

“Today, it was never Fernandes because they [United] never had the ball enough,” Pardew remarked, referencing the midfielder’s inability to influence the match against Liverpool. “Defensively, he’s not been called upon. How can he lead the team? It’s a very difficult one for him.”

The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined United from Sporting CP in 2020 and quickly became a key player, was seen as a natural leader on the pitch. However, Pardew believes that the burden of leadership could be stifling his creativity and freedom on the field.

“I actually think it would be better for him as a footballer to take it off him. I think it might free him up a bit, let him be a bit more free-minded,” Pardew suggested, adding that Fernandes may be overly concerned with the broader responsibilities of captaincy, such as the defense and other players’ performances.

Pardew further explained the challenges of having a “technical skipper,” suggesting that players like Fernandes, who rely heavily on their technical skills, might struggle to lead effectively on off days.

“When you’ve got a technician as a skipper, I think it’s always dangerous because they’re going to have off games,” he said, drawing comparisons to players like Christian Eriksen and Michel Platini, who also had their off days despite their technical brilliance.

This isn’t the first time Fernandes’ leadership has been questioned. Former United players Paul Ince and Roy Keane have also expressed doubts about his suitability as captain. However, Fernandes remains defiant, emphasizing his comm

itment to the team and his unchanged approach despite the captaincy. “I have to deal with that,” Fernandes stated during a press conference last season. “My focus is on the team, on the staff, on those who work with me day-by-day.”

Erik ten Hag Advised to Strip Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd Captaincy

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