06 March 2024 , 08:00
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Bruno Fernandes is “too passionate” as a captain and is prone to losing control at times, according to former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fernandes was made captain by Erik ten Hag in the summer after the Dutchman took the armband off Harry Maguire, who had worn it for three and a half years. The decision was a signal of intent from Ten Hag, who made it clear that Maguire was not in his first-choice starting XI.
Maguire came close to leaving in the aftermath of the decision, but ended up staying to continue playing under Fernandes’ leadership this season. The Portugal international has a very different style and is frequently seen remonstrating with the referee after calls don’t go his team’s way.
That has led to criticism from former United skipper Roy Keane, who said in January that Fernandes was “killing and costing” his team with his emotional leadership and erratic playing style. Solskjaer was the manager who made Maguire captain and has hinted at why he prefers the England defender to Fernandes in an interview with the Stick to Football podcast.
“I knew Bruno Fernandes had captain qualities when I was manager at Manchester United,” he said. “He’s got the personality and quality – but he knows and I’ve told him – that he’s too passionate at times and he loses a bit of control. I loved Harry Maguire as a captain, he was the leader in that group for me when I was at the club.”
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He added: “The way that Harry Maguire has handled himself with everything happening to him at Manchester United is top class and just shows the character he’s got, that I want in players. They dig in, don’t jump ship at the first opportunity, stay in there and do the best you can.
“I remember his first training session and he looked like a man mountain compared to the others, and he came in and played well, but obviously over time, he got lots of criticism.” Solskjaer revealed in November that he has stayed in touch with Maguire, who has endured a difficult time this season.
Harry Maguire was stripped of the Manchester United in the summer (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Comment below.
“I am very happy that Harry in particular shows what kind of player he is, but not least what kind of type and person he is,” he said at the time. “That's why I made him captain. We in Norway call it 'hell wood'.”
United sources told Mirror Football in the summer that Ten Hag chose Fernandes because of his commitment to the highest standards he demands of himself and from the rest of the squad. It was hoped that his burning desire to win would inspire his team-mates, but United have endured a poor campaign.
They sit sixth in the Premier League, 11 points outside the top four after their 3-1 defeat in the Manchester derby on the weekend. Ten Hag’s side were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, but remain in the FA Cup, where they will face Liverpool in the quarter-final on March 17.
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