Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese forward, was named captain in Manchester United’s match against Liverpool, which they won 2-1. This came after coach Erik ten Hag’s decision to bench English defender Harry Maguire, who previously wore the captain’s armband. While Fernandes didn’t particularly impress in that game, earning some flak for diving and wasting time in the closing moments of the match, the 27-year-old has managed to make a mark in the Red Devils’ fixture against Southampton at St Mary’s stadium. 

Fernandes scored the sole goal for United, in the second half as the Reds capitalized on a quick linkup involving Elanga and Diego Dalot. 

This is the second match that Maguire has been benched and Fernandes has been favoured for the captain’s position. Former Ajax manager, ten Hag, also dropped a hint about the Portuguese likely continuing in this role. 

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When asked by a journalist, “If Bruno, who is going to play most games, has the armband, does a point come where you have to say that he is the captain because he is playing most games?”, ten Hag replied that he hadn’t thought that far after just one game with Fernandes as captain. 

However, he continued “I think Bruno did quite well in his role with the captaincy, he was captain by example. He brings so much energy to the team, in and out of possession, so I was really happy with his role and performance.” 

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Earlier in the season, the Dutchman had remained firm that Maguire would be his captain, but the Englishman’s poor form has continued from last season, and now ten Hag’s stance indicates that United’s captaincy is in a transitional phase with the new manager likely to take a call a little down the road, after judging the team’s performance under the new captain. 

United next face Leicester City away from home on September 2.