Man United captain Bruno Fernandes is ‘clearly not a leader’ and ‘will go missing’ in adversity, says Graeme Souness, recalling his ‘appalling attitude’ in their 7-0 defeat at Liverpool
- Fernandes was widely criticized for his petulant behavior in a 7-0 defeat to Liverpool
- Graeme Souness says: ‘You certainly wouldn’t want him in the trenches with you’
- Erik ten Hag has entrusted Fernandes with captaincy for most of the season
Graeme Souness believes Bruno Fernandes is ‘clearly not a leader’ as he criticized the Manchester United man’s ‘appalling’ behavior in their 7-0 defeat at Liverpool.
The Portuguese midfielder, who has regularly captained United this season, did not cover himself in glory with his petulant antics and sulky body language at Anfield in March.
Fernandes was likely to become United’s captain if Harry Maguire leaves the club this summer, but Mail Sport columnist Souness has issued a warning to Erik ten Hag.
“Obviously he’s not a leader, it’s as obvious as the nose on the tip of your face,” he said William Hill’s Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast.
His attitude when they went down 3-0 at Liverpool was appalling. You certainly wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with him, it’s as simple as that.’
Bruno Fernandes made a sulky figure as Manchester United were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool
The Portuguese star’s antics were “appalling,” according to Mail Sport columnist Souness
Graeme Souness, speaking on William Hill Up Front with Simon Jordan, criticized Man United boss Erik ten Hag for turning a blind eye to Fernandes and his antics
Liverpool legend Souness can’t understand why Ten Hag supported Fernandes after his affectation at Anfield.
“I think this is another example of modern management, tail wagging the dog in football today,” he added.
“There’s only one club in the country where that doesn’t happen and that’s Man City where the manager is omnipotent.
“The manager is the boss in name only. He thinks Fernandes is a good player, he will be a star when they are at the top and at the front. He is creative and he is a real talent.
“But he showed him a side that day at Anfield that was very unattractive.
Erik ten Hag then chose to overlook it, because he knows that Bruno will win games for him in the future and score goals.
“But in the manger’s head he’ll know, the first time we get into a really tough situation again, is he doing it to go missing?
“And I think the manager already knows the answer to that.”
Fernandes keeps his face on the Anfield turf during United’s demoralizing defeat in March
Erik ten Hag has recorded for Fernandes despite the doubts about his attitude
Souness captained Liverpool from 1981 to 1984, leading them to three league titles, three League Cups and the European Cup.
On the art of leading, he added: “Becoming captain of a football team is about setting an example on the field and off it. To have a successful football club you need good seniors and professionals.
“I look at myself when I walked through the door in Liverpool, how I changed in the seven years I was there and how I was when I left.
“I wasn’t the best player when I came in the door, but I learned from some very serious footballers, and seven years later, when I became a senior, I like to think I passed on that information.”
The Portuguese wore the captain’s armband when Harry Maguire did not play this season
Fernandes, 28, has captained United in most games this season after Ten Hag Maguire was relegated to the bench.
Despite his behavior at Anfield, Fernandes has had a fine season, netting 11 goals and 14 assists in 52 appearances.
Ten Hag’s side will look to cement their Champions League place for next season when they visit Brighton on Thursday night.