04 November 2023 , 09:50
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Former Manchester United winger Nani has spoken out in defence of the club's maligned captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes, 29, was handed the armband in the summer after Erik ten Hag decided to remove Harry Maguire from the position. However, the Dutchman's decision has not been a universally popular one, with fans and pundits alike debating Fernandes' suitability for such a role.
United icon Roy Keane went one further following last weekend's chastening Manchester derby defeat, with the Irishman insisting that Ten Hag should take the captaincy away from Fernandes. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "The one thing I would do, after today having watched him again, I would definitely take the captaincy off him, 100 percent.
"I know it was a big decision to change the captaincy with Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material. I think he's a talented player, but what I saw today, we've discussed this before, I was at Liverpool last year, his whinging, his moaning, constantly throwing his arms up in the air. It really isn't acceptable.
"It has to start somewhere and where do you make changes - manager? board level? It starts with that (the captaincy) because the manager is capable of doing that. Hold his hands up and say he got it wrong. Fernandes is a great player, but he's the opposite of what I would want in a captain."
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But Nani, who spent eight years at Old Trafford during his own playing career, is of the opinion that it is Fernandes' teammates, rather than the United skipper, who should be criticised. And the former Portugal international went on to bemoan the lack of character in the current squad during a frank discussion on 1 PARA 1.
Join the debate! Do you think Fernandes is captain material? Let us know here.
Nani has defended Bruno Fernandes, who was heavily criticised by Roy Keane last weekend (Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)"When we used to play at Manchester [United], one of the things that defined the club was that you could be losing 3-0 with 15 minutes, 10 minutes left in a game, and that’s when you saw what mental strength means," Nani said.
"It’s no longer about talent, it’s about pushing the ball into the goal. We did that, we did what was necessary. Now, when you watch Manchester play, you see a lot of talent, maybe more talent than in our time in terms of technique, and they’re all technically gifted.
"But when you watch the game, there’s no spirit of sacrifice, no fighting spirit… a real player, a star, at Manchester, has to unlock the game – if they don’t, it won’t work.
"Manchester already has great players. We have Bruno Fernandes. If Bruno Fernandes wasn’t playing well, I’d criticise him too, but for example, the sacrifice and effort he puts into the game, he does it. We see it. He works hard, gives his all, and contributes. It’s just that many others don’t keep up with it."