Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already sent Man Utd huge warning over Bruno Fernandes as major decision awaits
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explained why he didn't give the captain's armband to Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, instead handing it to Harry Maguire.
Fernandes is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford with his contract expiring in June 2027, and his situation was made even worse by his comments after United's humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
The Portuguese maestro questioned the tactics of the under-pressure boss Michael Carrick, suggesting that it was the Englishman's decision not to deploy a man-to-man press against the relentless Italian side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explained why Bruno Fernandes wasn't Man United captain
Man United have now gone seven games without a win in all competitions, with their lacklustre performances piling huge pressure on Carrick.
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After producing a record-breaking 21 assists in the Premier League last term, Fernandes has declined rapidly at the start of this season, with his only top-flight return so far coming in a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town in August.
The 32-year-old scored a hat-trick and assisted once on that day, but has since failed to provide a goal involvement in his last five league matches.
Like many of his teammates, Fernandes hasn't displayed the professionalism and quality to drag this Manchester United side through a tough period. Perhaps he can be forgiven after doing just that on so many occasions in the past, but as a captain, he's supposed to lead by example.
Currently, he's doing the exact opposite on and off the pitch, with former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explaining why he selected Harry Maguire as captain instead during his three years as manager from December 2018 to November 2021.
"I knew Bruno Fernandes had captain qualities when I was manager at Manchester United,” Solskjaer said on Stick to Football in March 2024.
“He’s got the personality and quality – but he knows and I’ve told him – that he’s too passionate at times and he loses a bit of control. I loved Harry Maguire as a captain, he was the leader in that group for me when I was at the club.”
He added: “The way that Harry Maguire has handled himself with everything happening to him at Manchester United is top class and just shows the character he’s got, that I want in players. They dig in, don’t jump ship at the first opportunity, stay in there and do the best you can.
“I remember his first training session, and he looked like a man mountain compared to the others, and he came in and played well, but obviously over time, he got lots of criticism.”
The Norwegian famously brought Fernandes to the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and, while he has become undeniably United's best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, his attitude is everything wrong with the club.
Man United face huge decision over Bruno Fernandes contract
Fernandes has captained Man United since July 2023 when Erik ten Hag gave him the armband.
The midfielder has mostly led by example on the pitch, often single-handedly dragging a subpar Red Devils side to victories.
But this season, the 97-cap Portugal international has looked a shadow of his former self and this has put his future into major doubt.
United's No. 8 has the option to extend his contract at the club for a further year once it expires in June, but the club's hierarchy want to give him an improved two-year deal.
Although, given his age, declining performances and behaviour off the pitch, perhaps they're now thinking twice about rewarding him with a longer term contract.
Liverpool made that mistake with Mohamed Salah and, if United do the same, it could prove costly.
Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Man Utd
Thomas Griffin