Manager Erik Ten Hag believes he doesn’t understand why some people want to strip the captain’s armband from midfielder Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United.
In the press conference following their 1-0 win against Fulham, with Fernandes scoring the decisive goal in injury time, Ten Hag stated that since he handed Fernandes the captaincy, the Portuguese midfielder has maintained his playing style. “He always plays with determination, pressuring opponents, moving off the ball, always wanting to receive the ball, and creating opportunities,” the Dutch coach said. “Fernandes remains the epitome of the team, and he also takes responsibility for himself, both on and off the pitch.”
Following Manchester United’s loss in the Manchester derby, former captain Roy Keane expressed his desire to remove Fernandes from the captain’s role. Keane couldn’t accept a leader who constantly complains and argues on the field. When asked about these statements, Ten Hag said, “I cannot understand that. He is still crucial to us.”
According to Whoscored, Fernandes has an average rating of 7.31 per game in the Premier League, the highest in the team since the season started. However, within the league, he ranks 19th, with James Maddison (Tottenham) leading with a 7.72 rating. Fernandes has played a full 990 minutes since the start of the season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. No player has been involved in more goals than this midfielder, but when Manchester United underperforms, he quickly faces criticism.
Not only Ten Hag but former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata also defended his former teammate after the Fulham victory. “Professional, dedicated, humble, hardworking, talented, decisive, leadership qualities, respectful, and… not perfect, just like the rest of us,” Mata wrote about Fernandes on Instagram on the evening of November 4th.
Mata plays for Vissel Kobe and posted the message in Japan at midnight. Ten Hag shares similar thoughts to Mata, stating, “Nobody is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. Fernandes remains the key to Manchester United’s victories.”
Ten Hag also praised defender Harry Maguire not only for his solid defensive performance but also for several accurate long passes in this game. He revealed that he had told the English defender that if he maintains his form, he will continue to be a regular starter.
