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Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Premier League, Liverpool, Erik Ten Hag, Football
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Premier League, Liverpool, Erik Ten Hag, Football
A Premier League great has claimed that Bruno Fernandes should be stripped of his Manchester United captaincy.
United have had an underwhelming start to the 2024/25 season, losing two of their three Premier League matches so far.
Their biggest defeat came on Sunday, as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to long-term rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
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And in the wake of the defeat, one Premier League legend has called on United to strip Bruno Fernandes of the club captaincy for one specific reason.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew claimed that Fernandes should be removed as captain due to the type of player he is.
"You've got your skipper out there, you've got a technical skipper, when you've got a technician as a skipper, I think it's always dangerous because they're going to have off games. Even [Christian] Eriksen in his prime, [Michel] Platini in his prime, they'd have the off day. They were technical players," said Pardew.
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He added: "[Against Liverpool], it was never Fernandes because [United] never had the ball enough. Defensively, he's not been called upon. How can he lead the team? It's a very difficult one for him.
"I actually think it would be better for him as a footballer to take it off him. I think it might free him up a bit, let him be a bit more free-minded. He's probably worrying about the back four, worrying about the wingers. You don't really know how to deal with it.
"I don't know, I think it's a hamper to him."
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Fernandes became club captain ahead of the start of last season, replacing defender Harry Maguire who was appointed in January 2020 by then-manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer.
The Portuguese midfielder has 237 appearances for the Red Devils and has scored 79 goals whole registering 67 assists in this time.
Speaking in July 2023 when he was appointed captain, he told the club website: "Obviously, it's such a beautiful moment for me and to share it with my family, too.
“It's not something that you dream about, because that’s above your dream. It's something that makes you feel proud of everything that we've been doing."