One wonders how many times English football experts can utter the sentence that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was completely right and with the conditions the club had delivered brilliant results playing in the Champions League without thinking of him as a good replacement for failed managers.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is not in a good mood, one reason is a lack of consistent strategy from the bosses and owners of the club. – In the years he has been at the club, he has had as many as 5 managers, and very soon the sixth will come. Many believe that the defeat on Sunday at home at Old Trafford against Bournemouth will be the final nail in the coffin.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explained why he didn’t give the captain’s armband to Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United and instead gave it to Harry Maguire.
Fernandes faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford with his contract expiring in June 2027, and his situation was made even worse by the comments following United’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
The Portuguese star questioned the tactics of pressured manager Michael Carrick, suggesting that it was the Englishman’s decision not to use man-to-man pressure against the relentless Italian side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explained why Bruno Fernandes wasn’t captain
After providing a record-high 21 assists in the Premier League last season, Fernandes has quickly fallen back at the start of this season. His only top division contribution so far came in the 5-2 win over Ipswich Town in August.
The 32-year-old scored a hat-trick and provided one assist that day, but has since failed to contribute a goal in his last five league games.
Like many of his teammates, Fernandes has not shown the professionalism and quality needed to carry this Manchester United team through a tough period. Perhaps he can be forgiven for doing just that so many times before – but as captain he should lead by example.
At the moment, he is doing the exact opposite, both on and off the pitch. Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once explained why he chose Harry Maguire as captain instead, during his three years as manager from December 2018 to November 2021.
“I knew Bruno Fernandes had captaincy when I was manager at Manchester United,” Solskjaer said on Stick to Football in March 2024.
“He’s got the personality and the quality – but he knows, and I’ve said it to him, that at times he’s too passionate and loses a bit of control. I loved Harry Maguire as captain; he was the leader of that group for me when I was at the club.”
He added: “The way Harry Maguire has handled everything that happens to him at Manchester United is top class and shows the character he has – which I want in the players. They dig in, don’t jump off at the first opportunity, stay there and do their best.
“I remember his first training session, and he looked like a mountain compared to the others. He came in and played well, but of course got a lot of criticism over time.”
The Norwegian famously brought Fernandes to the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020. And while he has undoubtedly become United’s best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, his attitude is all that is wrong with the club.
Manchester United face a big decision on Fernandes’ contract
Fernandes has been captain of Manchester United since July 2023, when Erik ten Hag gave him the captain’s armband.
The midfielder has largely led by example on the pitch and has often single-handedly led a mediocre Red Devils team to victories.
But this season, the Portuguese international with 97 caps has looked like a shadow of his former self – which has put his future in doubt.
United’s number 8 has the option to extend his contract for another year when it expires in June, but the club’s management wants to give him an improved two-year contract.
However, given his age, weaker performances, and off-pitch behavior, they may think twice before rewarding him with a longer contract.
Liverpool made that mistake with Mohamed Salah. If United do the same, it could be costly.
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