“Our magnificent Portuguese.” Manchester United announced today the promotion of Bruno Fernandes to team captain. The 28-year-old midfielder succeeds Harry Maguire, who has been allowed to leave Old Trafford, to become the first Portuguese owner of the armband Red Devils.
The Portugal international will be part of the limited list of emblematic captains of the England emblem, along with names such as Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Vidic or Wayne Rooney. Cristiano Ronaldo was part of the captains group and wore the armband for several matches, but was never selected/appointed as captain while playing at Old Trafford (2003 to 2009 and 2021 to 2022).
In a season of ups and downs, which ended with his conquest of the English League Cup, the 28-year-old midfielder emerged as a great figure in the team following CR7’s difficult departure – he would go on to sign for Al Nassr – and became the right hand of the coach, the Dutchman Ten Hag.
In practice, the number 8 has been the holder of the armband for most of last season due to the absence of center Maguire from coach Erik ten Hag’s options (he came on as a substitute in 15 of 31 matches), who now promotes the player from Maya. “As captain, the prizewinner sir Matt Busby [treinador da primeira era dourada do United] on two occasions he will continue to provide top demand in the United team to ensure success in 2023/24 and beyond.”
The first time Bruno Fernandes wore the Manchester United armband was in October 2020, in a Champions League match, and he made no secret of the pride that made him. “Another dream come true and crowned with a great win in the Champions League. An honor and a huge privilege to be captain of a club like Manchester United, it was an indescribable moment of strong emotions for me,” said the midfielder, who scored a goal in the victory over PSG (2-1).
Controversy with Maguire
The bracelet issue was not peaceful. It all started last week when Harry Maguire announced on social media that the coach had informed him that he would be stepping down as captain. “After speaking to the manager, he informed me that he has changed the captain of the team. He pointed out the reasons for this and despite being extremely disappointed, I will always give my all when wearing this shirt,” he wrote . the Englishman on the social network Twitter.
The defender signed for 87 million euros from Leicester in 2019, became the most expensive center of all time, lost his basic status at Manchester United with the arrival of Erik ten Hag and now also the condition of leader of the dressing room for Bruno Fernandes. The coach will have opted for the Portuguese against Casemiro.
Despite being regarded as the team’s best player last season, Bruno Fernandes was also questioned. In March, after Manchester United’s humiliation on the last day of the Premier League, against Liverpool (7-0), he was named the scapegoat, with almost the majority of England’s commentators, all former players, fallen for Gary Neville or Roy Keane, who crucified the Portuguese for his attitude on the pitch. Many defended that trainer Ten Hag should take away his captain’s armband, but the Dutchman kept faith in the Portuguese, who will have rejected two proposals from Saudi league clubs, preferring to remain in the English emblem.
Since arriving at Manchester United in 2020, Bruno Fernandes has scored 64 goals and provided 54 assists in a total of 185 games.
From Maya to Manchester
Formed in Boavista, he went to play at the age of 17 for Novara, which was in the Italian Serie B. Despite the team’s failure to progress to Serie A, the midfielder’s performance convinced Udinese to invest €2.5 million in his signing. He was immediately in the starting line-up and for more than three years, until he was loaned to Sampdoria, who, convinced of his worth, advanced six million for his transfer.
Sporting’s interest convinced him to return to Portugal. The Lions paid 9.7 million euros and made Bruno Fernandes the great reference of the team that would be coached by Jorge Jesus. He gained status and importance thanks to goals and assists. In the 2018/19 season he was promoted to captain and in January 2020 Manchester United knocked on his door, leaving 65 million in Alvalade’s coffers.
A decisive player, at Old Trafford he remained a paragon of breed in difficult times and has now been officially promoted to leader of the club’s dressing room Red Devils.
Source: DN
