Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has called for senior players to look after the youthful members of the squad.
It comes amid numerous young Reds making their mark on the first-team; Alejandro Garnacho’s scintillating wonder goal has etched his name into Red Devils history for years to come, while in the same game, Kobbie Mainoo received plaudits from pretty much anyone that laid eyes on him throughout his first-ever Premier League start.
Hannibal Mejbri rebuffed loan interest over the summer in favour of staying at Old Trafford and fighting for regular game time, with him since going on to net his debut goal for the club.
20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund was sought in August to be United’s first-choice striker across the term over the likes of Anthony Martial, and he’s undoubtedly repaid the manager’s trust in Europe after providing five goals in four matches.
Given that United are a club built off of the successes and foundations of promoting youth players and Sir Matt Busby’s mantra of “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough”, senior members of staff and players must be doing their utmost to ensure the prospects are coping as well off the field as they are on it. In this age of social media criticism and unwarranted hate, one mistake could have serious implications on a player’s reputation and therefore, their mental health and confidence.
Fernandes’ message to senior teammates
Speaking to TNT Sports, club captain Fernandes had his say on the matter: “I think for young players when they come through, it’s easier in the beginning but it gets hard when they start doing something really good because as soon as they get some game where it’s not going so well they’re going to get the criticism.
“They have to deal with that and I think us as experienced players, senior players, we have to help them on that and make sure they understand that it’s not everything bad when [things] go wrong and it’s not everything perfect when it goes good.”
