Bruno Fernandes will only be focused on Manchester United for the start of the next season, according to reports. A new career high for the Portuguese player is anticipated as a result of Erik ten Hag’s vacant captaincy. Offers from the Saudi Pro League and the possibility to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, another countryman, have so far been ineffective in changing his mind.
Fernandes has been one of the team’s most dependable players ever since he joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Given his impressive tally of 64 goals in 185 games while playing in the middle of the field, it is doubtful that his place in Ten Hag’s starting XI will be challenged any time soon.
In fact, the 28-year-old’s standing at Old Trafford could go up a notch after Harry Maguire revealed over the weekend that he had been stripped of the captaincy following talks with the boss.
Having fulfilled the role of stand-in skipper for much of last season while Maguire collected dust on the bench, Fernandes is the red-hot favourite to assume the role on a permanent basis.
Doing so would see him accomplish a feat that even five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo never managed across two separate stints at Old Trafford. The Al-Nassr forward made well over 350 appearances for the Red Devils, and at no point was he named the permanent captain.
Bruno Fernandes will almost be the captain of Man United – Something Ronaldo does not have despite playing for Man United 350 games
The armband was worn by Roy Keane and Gary Neville during Ronaldo’s first stint at United, but Harry Maguire continued to serve as captain during his brief second stint, which apparently caused conflict in the locker room.
According to trade specialist Fabrizio Romano, Fernandes’ focus on the goal has helped him turn off two approaches from the Saudi Pro League this summer.
According to reports, the ideas arrived at Old Trafford a month ago, and Ten Hag didn’t waste any time in notifying potential candidates that they had no chance of hiring his skipper in waiting. However, Fernandes taking over as captain is not yet a done deal.
Harry Maguire has been stripped of the Man Utd captaincy after three-and-a-half years
Marcus Rashford has the advantage of being in excellent form and having grown up supporting the team, to which he has recently committed his future and to whom he is about to sign a lucrative new contract.
While Fernandes has a dazzling trophy collection, Casemiro is known for his ruthlessness on the field. Despite the fact that doing so would need Ten Hag to do a daring U-turn, some fans are undoubtedly in favor of Casemiro receiving the armband instead of Fernandes.