Fernandes Takes Over as New Captain of Man Utd

 

Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been announced as the new captain of Manchester United, according to a statement released by the Premier League club on Thursday.

The 28-year-old will take over the captaincy from defender Harry Maguire, who was removed from the position by manager Erik ten Hag after failing to secure a spot in the starting lineup for the team.

Fernandes, who has an impressive record of 64 goals and 54 assists in 185 games across all competitions for the club, had previously served as captain in the absence of Maguire, who spent a significant portion of the previous season on the bench or dealing with injuries.

There have been rumors in British media linking Maguire with a potential move away from the club.

United confirmed that Fernandes had already worn the captain's armband on several occasions and that he will now lead the team on a permanent basis, as stated by Erik ten Hag.

As the new captain, Fernandes, a two-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, will be responsible for maintaining high standards within the squad as they strive for success in the 2023-24 season and beyond.

However, Fernandes faced criticism for his ill-tempered performance during the team's 7-0 loss to rivals Liverpool in March.

United's pre-season preparations are underway, with a recent 1-0 victory over Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Next, United will head to the United States, where they are scheduled to play friendly matches against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund ahead of the upcoming season.

After failing to qualify for the tournament in the 2021-22 campaign, United will return to action in the Champions League for the next season.