Topics: Manchester United, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, FA Cup, Premier League, Football, Brighton And Hove Albion, Fan Reactions
'Captain, my captain,' is the sentiment that Manchester United fans were sharing about Bruno Fernandes, following his actions during the team's FA Cup semi-final victory on Sunday.
United needed penalties to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley, in order to set up a first ever Manchester derby cup final.
In truth, Erik ten Hag's side had to ride their luck at times during the 120 minutes, with Brighton the better side for much of the game, in normal time and extra time.
They did have their own chances too, but in all it was a very tetchy match with lots of niggly fouls and complaints at the referee from both sides.
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As usual in those circumstances, Fernandes was at the centre of much of what was going on, whether that was being fouled or being in the referee's ear.
The attacking midfielder has a happy knack of winding up opponents and rival fans alike, but he is understandably loved by everyone linked to United.
There must have been a collective gasp when he was withdrawn from proceedings in the 101st minute, replaced by Wout Weghorst, with penalties looming.
However, he still managed to have an impact on the game, as he was spotted giving a rousing speech to his teammates at half time in the additional 30 minutes.
Fans saw the footage and instantly believe that he should be given the captain's armband ahead of Harry Maguire, who could only be seen talking to a couple of his teammates late in the video.
"The only thing that says captain about maguire is the armband, He's clearly lost the respect of his teammates which is sad," said one fan.
"He controls and manages the group so much better than Maguire, a true captain," added a second.
Noting that it was a former manager who gave Maguire the armband, a third posted, "Look at our ‘captain’ Harry Maguire. No leadership skills at all. I hope Ole is haunted at night for making him captain."
"Look at Bruno & look at Maguire. The difference is staggering & quite frankly embarrassing. Maguire meant to be captain, pathetic," noted another.
"Our club captain. Our leader. The man who actually has the armband has his hands in his pockets, whilst Bruno, someone who the media will tell you lacks the attitude to be a leader, is actually motivating the team. I know who my captain is," replied a different supporter.
And a sixth summed it up by simply claiming, "This man is our captain."
The former Sporting man has worn the armband for much of the campaign, with Maguire not first choice at centre back, and it was the case at Wembley, with the England international suspended.
It's not the first time that the former Leicester City star has had his credentials as captain questioned, with rumoured splits in the camp in the past, when some wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to be captain.
Fernandes was taken off before the shoot-out, where he would have been expected to be one of the first five takers, but it didn't matter in the end.
Fellow midfielder Casemiro volunteered to take the first, with Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst following.
It was then left to Victor Lindelof, playing thanks to Maguire's suspension and Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez's injuries, to bury the final spot kick and set up a date with Manchester City back at Wembley on June 3rd.
