Manchester United manager Ten Hag defends Bruno Fernandes’ captain qualities after Fulham heroics

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has come to the defense of midfielder Bruno Fernandes after being left baffled by criticism of the Portuguese star as captain of Manchester United.

Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as Manchester United’s captain at the start of the season, and debates have popped up about whether the Portugal international deserves the armband.

The mercurial midfielder has received criticism in recent weeks, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane going as far as saying that the former Sporting CP star should be stripped of the armband.

However, Ten Hag could not agree less with those comments, especially after Fernandes’ late winner to rescue three points for Manchester United against Fulham.

Speaking after the match at Craven Cottage, Ten Hag revealed that he was surprised that people still doubted Fernandes’ quality as captain of the club, and threw his weight behind the Portugal international.

He said after the match, “I don't understand why people doubt Bruno Fernandes as our captain, really. He’s key for us”.

“Everyone has mistakes, and no one is perfect. He's massively important to us”

Fernandes pulled a rabbit out of his hat against Fulham and scored in the 91st minute to give Manchester United a much-needed confidence boost after two brutal losses in a row.