Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes defended as new Man Utd captain suggested
Manchester United are holding Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes back. Not the other way around. That's according to pundit Joe Cole, who has jumped to the defence of United's attacking duo despite their turbulent form ahead of Wednesday's crunch Champions League trip to Copenhagen.
"Rashford and Fernandes are both world class players," said Cole, who was speaking on behalf of TNT Sports which is the exclusive home of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. They're outstanding footballers but they’re in a system that’s not allowing them to express their creative abilities. Rashford is the face of Manchester United and Bruno is the captain but I wouldn’t want my creative players to be the main leaders."
Rashford missed the late 1-0 triumph at Fulham - that saw Fernandes net a dramatic stoppage-time winner - through injury despite travelling with the squad to west London.
And Cole argues the confidence of Rashford and Fernandes has been crippled by the responsibilities that come with being a senior dressing-room figure in recent weeks. In his view, Erik ten Hag should have appointed Raphael Varane - not Fernandes - as club captain ahead of the new season to ease the weight of expectation on Fernandes' shoulders.
"I think the captain should be someone like Varane, a player behind the rest of the team who can say to Fernandes and Rashford ‘you can be the difference-makers for us'," explained Cole. "When Marcus plays and there are no other thoughts in his head - like when he played for England the other day against Italy - he’s outstanding. He’s a world-beater. The same applies to Fernandes. Don't get me wrong, they still need to be leaders but the body language of the whole squad needs to improve. I would be putting more pressure on the players that are at the back, who can see the whole game, to drive the team and lift the dressing room."
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Defeat in Denmark would leave United with a mountain to climb in their pursuit of knockout qualification - even after the dramatic 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford in the reserve fixture.The Red Devils still have to travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in one of Europe's most-volatile atmospheres before the visit of Bayern Munich in mid-December. Despite the turmoil - Cole claims you cannot bet against Manchester United in Europe because when they're at their pomp, they still possess the quality to hurt opponents.
"They have to beat Copenhagen - they’re Manchester United," Cole added. "If I’m Erik ten Hag, this is win or bust. I’m saying to my players ‘we’re on the train, who’s with me?’. United are total underdogs in this competition - not so much against Copenhagen - but it would be a great achievement if they somehow made it to the latter rounds of the knockout stages.
Joe Cole thinks Raphael Varane should have been appointed as Manchester United's new captain (Getty Images)"There are so many top teams in Europe but equally, we've seen far worse sides than United in terms of quality to win the Champions League over the years. United on their day can still beat anyone. If Fernandes, Rashford or Rasmus Hojlund have it off - they're incredibly dangerous. As boring as it is, it’s about winning the next game and seeing where the ride takes you."
TNT Sports is the exclusive home of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League. TNT Sports is available through its streaming destination discovery+ and across all major TV platforms. This isn’t Just Sport, This is Everything. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/football
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