Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United Captain Vows to Stay True to Himself
Manchester United’s newly appointed captain, Bruno Fernandes, has stated that he will not change his approach to the game despite taking on the leadership role. Fernandes believes that manager Erik ten Hag “likes the way I am” and values his all-round contribution to the team.
Fernandes, who had an impressive season with 14 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, has faced criticism in the past for his on-field demeanor. Pundits even branded him a “disgrace” for his body language during a 7-0 defeat by Liverpool last season. However, the 28-year-old remains confident in his style of play and believes it is what brought him to be the captain.
In an interview after United’s 2-0 pre-season win over Arsenal, Fernandes said, “I think I have to be the same because that is what has brought me to be the captain at this moment and that is what the manager has decided, because he likes the way I am, and the way I act and train, and the way I play, so I have to keep doing the same things.”
Taking on the captaincy is an “honour” for Fernandes, who revealed that former captain Harry Maguire congratulated him despite his own challenging situation. Maguire’s position has been under scrutiny, but he still took the time to offer his support to Fernandes. The two players have always had a good relationship, according to Fernandes.
Under Ten Hag’s management, Manchester United had a promising first campaign, winning the Carabao Cup and securing Champions League football with a third-placed finish in the Premier League. Fernandes now challenges his teammates to push for further honors and hopes for more reinforcements after the summer signings of midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana.
“We want to fight for the titles, we want to go for all the trophies that we are involved in,” Fernandes declared. “We want to go for everything that we are involved in, and the manager has made everyone aware that this is the standards of the club and what the club deserves; what we have to set for ourselves to be a Man Utd player.”
Fernandes also highlighted the need for additional players, particularly in the striker position, as Wout Weghorst has left and Anthony Martial is still unfit. He expressed his happiness with the signings of Mason Mount and Andre Onana and welcomed any other players who could help the team succeed.
The next pre-season match for Manchester United is against Wrexham on July 26, followed by games against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lens, and Athletic Bilbao.
In conclusion, Bruno Fernandes is determined to stay true to himself as he takes on the captaincy at Manchester United. Despite facing criticism in the past, Fernandes believes that his style of play and overall contribution to the team have earned him the role. He is focused on pushing for more honors and hopes for further reinforcements to strengthen the squad. Manchester United fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead under Fernandes’ leadership.