Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has spoken in detail about what it means to be a leader at the club.
The 28-year-old is United’s vice-captain but has donned the armband in almost every match this season due to the absences of Harry Maguire.
Fernandes is a figure that has been adored by the Old Trafford faithful since his arrival, which was made better by the fact he returned outstanding goal contributions in his first season-and-a-half in red.
After moving from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes racked up 12 goals and eight assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. The following season, he scored a remarkable 28 goals whilst contributing 17 assists and was consequently awarded the prestigious Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.
Whilst he has struggled to replicate the same numbers since his impact on the pitch has been invaluable. On the rare chance the midfielder is not named in the starting lineup, he is notably missed, as he is now one name you expect on the teamsheet week in, week out.
Fernandes talked in depth with The Athletic
In an interview with The Athletic, he reflected on his leadership skills and qualities, specifically for United.
Q. “Do you feel like a leader on the pitch?”
A. “No, I try to be myself. It’s the way I am — I know that if some people see me talking to my teammates or giving information to them, some of them like it, others less. I just try to help make the things better for the team.”
Q. “You once said you felt it was important to be vocally influential on the pitch?”
A. ‘It’s something that comes naturally to me. It’s not something that I try and do in training. Even in normal life I try to help people. My mum and my dad made me understand that if you can help the next person, do it. If that means speaking then I speak.”
Q. “What makes a good leader in football?”
A. “You have to be yourself and you have to lead by example. You have to be at your best in every training session and every game. Some players are more vocal than others, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not leaders. There are different ways to lead, even if some players don’t want to show it so much because they don’t feel it’s necessary or (feel) comfortable doing it. I don’t try to be a leader, I am how I am.”
Q. “You’re working with some of the younger academy players at United. How do you inspire them when they look up to you?”
A. “Lead by example. Do everything that the coach asks you, do everything that is asked of you in every training session. I try to pass confidence to young players, it doesn’t matter how old they are. I also want them to feel part of the family at Manchester United. It’s not just about the first team. And I remember being a young player too and wanting support from older players.”
