Nani DEFENDS Bruno Fernandes and argues ‘he gives his all’ for Man United despite criticism of his attitude… claiming other players ‘don’t keep up’ with the Portuguese captain and have ‘no spirit of sacrifice’
- Nani has pushed back against criticism of Bruno Fernandes’ attitude, saying he is ‘giving everything’
- Roy Keane urged Erik ten Hag to strip the Portuguese midfielder of the armband
- Is Erik ten Hag crazy at Man United? Listen to It’s All Kicking Off here
Former Manchester United star Nani has defended Bruno Fernandes despite the club captain questioning his attitude.
Nani argued that Fernandes ‘gives everything’ for the club but hit out at other players, saying there was ‘no spirit of sacrifice’.
Fernandes was lambasted by Roy Keane after United’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City as the legend said he is ‘the opposite of what a captain should be’.
Erik ten Hag installed the midfielder as captain this summer after stripping Harry Maguire of the armband, but he has not convinced everyone of his leadership qualities.
However, Nani praised his former Sporting and Portugal teammate. ‘Manchester (United) already has great players. We have Bruno Fernandes. “If Bruno Fernandes didn’t play well I would criticize him too, but the sacrifice and effort he puts into the game he does,” he told the Portuguese podcast 1 PARAGRAPH 1 via Metro.
Nani said Bruno Fernandes ‘gives everything’ for Manchester United and his teammates ‘show no spirit or sacrifice’
The United skipper’s attitude is being questioned by experts as he is accused of moaning
Roy Keane urged his former club to strip the Portuguese midfielder of the armband
‘We see it. He works hard, gives everything and contributes. It’s just that many others aren’t keeping up.
‘When we played at Manchester United, one of the things that defined the club was that you could lose 3-0 with 15 minutes or 10 minutes to go, and then you saw what mental strength means.
‘It’s no longer about talent, it’s about pushing the ball into the goal. We did that, we did what was necessary.
‘When you watch Manchester play now you see a lot of talent, maybe more talent than in our time in terms of technique, and they are all technically gifted.
“But when you watch the match, there is no spirit of sacrifice, no fighting spirit. A real player, a star at Manchester, must unlock the match. If they don’t, it won’t work.’
Nani won four Premier League titles and one Champions League with Manchester United, making 230 appearances for the club between 2007 and 2015.
His defense of his former teammate is in stark contrast to criticism of Keane, who said: ‘The first thing I would do is strip him of the captaincy. I know it’s a big decision, but Fernandes is not captain material.
‘He’s a talented player, but what I saw today (against Manchester City), he whines, he moans, he throws his arms in the air all the time.
Nani and Fernandes played alongside each other for Sporting and Portugal
The pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag to make a change as United have had a terrible run of form
Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as club captain last summer but despite his talent, experts are questioning his work ethic.
‘It’s really not acceptable. If you’re talking about where they make changes – at board level, managers – I would start there, because the manager has the ability to do that.
‘Fernandes is a brilliant footballer, but he is the opposite of what you want in a captain.’
United have endured their worst start to the season since 1962/63, losing eight of their first 15 games.
They have also lost five of their first ten home games at Old Trafford for the first time since 1930-31.
Ten Hag will be hoping they can make amends when they meet Fulham at 12.30pm on Saturday, with the Londoners having won just one of their last five Premier League matches.
