Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Bruno Fernandes has been inspired by the Manchester United captaincy this week.
The Portuguese midfielder captained United in the last two games as the team recorded back-to-back wins against Liverpool and Southampton. He scored the only goal in Saturday’s win over the Saints with a beautiful volley.
Fernandes was brilliant when he wore the armband against Liverpool, too, so there’s a feeling he could grow into the role as a leader.
The Portugal international captained United in both of those wins, while Harry Maguire sat on the bench, with Raphael Varane partnering Lisandro Martinez at the back.
Ten Hag believes the armband has brought the best out of Fernandes and that may suggest we will see him wear it more often this season. Of course, in turn, that is bad news for Maguire.
“This gives him an impulse, the captaincy. We saw it on Monday, where he played a great game, especially the physical part, creating chances,” Ten Hag said (via Manchester Evening News).
“Today he brought the same on the pitch and the finish was really fantastic. I would also mention it was a team goal, we played it really well on the right side. I think it came out of a switch [of play].”
Ten Hag also praised Fernandes for scoring the ‘perfect’ goal against Southampton.
Fernandes will be aiming to continue his terrific form in a United shirt against Leicester City on Thursday night.
