08 March 2023 , 13:20
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Marcus Rashford has labelled Bruno Fernandes a "good leader" after Erik ten Hag refused to strip the playmaker of the vice-captaincy.
Ten Hag has faced calls to punish Fernandes, 28, after Manchester United suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday. The Portugal international's body language and overall performance was heavily criticised in the wake of the loss.
Yet Ten Hag has confirmed Fernandes is "definitely" still United's vice-captain and will deputise for Harry Maguire when the Englishman is unavailable or not selected. Rashford, who is now regarded as a senior player at Old Trafford, supports his manager's decision.
"I love playing with Bruno, as you can imagine," Rashford told the press on Wednesday. "He's the perfect player to play with. He's been a good leader for us, even when he's not captain, which is always a good sign. He's helped other players become better leaders and the reality is that we can't be an organised team in terms of just one leader being captain.
"He's done a lot for us. I don't have anything negative to say about Bruno. As the manager said, nobody is perfect. I support him and I'm 100% behind him."
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Several pundits have criticised Fernandes following Sunday's game, as United conceded six goals during the second half. Chris Sutton has labelled him "The Incredible Sulk" and believes he produced "one of the worst performances" in Premier League history.
Bruno Fernandes' attitude on Sunday was criticised (Paul Currie/Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock)Do you think Bruno Fernandes should still be Manchester United's captain? Let us know in the comments below!
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Sutton urged Ten Hag to take the armband off "petulant child" Fernandes for United's Europa League clash against Real Betis. The first leg of the last-16 tie takes place at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Yet Ten Hag is sticking by Fernandes. He told reporters, "Yes, definitely [still the captain], I think he's playing a brilliant season, he's played an important role in the position that we are. He's giving energy to the team, running a lot with intensity, in the right way.
"He's pointing and coaching players, he's an inspiration for the whole team. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. I'm really happy to have Bruno Fernandes in my team and I'm happy with him as our captain with Harry not on the pitch."
Fernandes has captained United on several occasions this season due to Harry Maguire falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the pecking order. Maguire may not regain his place in United's starting XI, placing extra emphasis on the vice-captaincy.
"The second half has been an absolute disgrace, a shambles - epitomised by no one more than the captain Bruno Fernandes, who I think has been embarrassing at times in this game," Gary Neville told Sky Sports after Sunday's display.
Neville's colleague Roy Keane added, "Fernandes' body language today was nothing short of disgraceful. A really talented boy, he's your captain, but his body language, waving his arms, not running back, you wouldn't be happy with him in your dressing room."