"He didn’t want it...It took something away from him" - Peter Schmeichel on Manchester United appointing Bruno Fernandes as captain
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has criticized the appointment of midfielder Bruno Fernandes as the club's captain, claiming that it has limited the player. The midfielder was appointed as captain of the Red Devils by manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the 2023-24 season and ended up lifting the FA Cup.
Fernandes has been one of the finest midfielders in European football since swapping Lisbon for Manchester in January 2020. The Portugal international has struggled with form and consistency since being appointed captain of the side, a sharp contrast to what he showed in earlier seasons.
Peter Schmeichel spoke with A Bola about the 30-year-old and his struggles, as he has yet to find the net for the Red Devils this season. The legendary goalkeeper said that the captaincy and the system under Ten Hag do not permit the midfielder to perform at his best.
"I think that is very unfair to Bruno," Schmeichel said. "They removed Harry Maguire as captain and forced Bruno to have it. He didn't want it. Being captain of Manchester United is a big responsibility and there is a lot of focus on you. I think he wanted to focus on his game. I'm not saying he is having problems being captain, but I think it took something away from him, at the beginning."
"Bruno is one of the best players I have ever seen. What he can do, how he can assist, how he can score goals, he really is a super player. The problem he has, the problem Manchester United has with Bruno is that he doesn't have a position. He is not a number six, he is more of a number eight or ten. And the system is not designed for him. And sometimes, because of the way he is, he tries to get into areas where he shouldn't because that's his natural reaction," he added.
Schmeichel continued:
"He wants to be in space to have the ball and people criticise him for that. I think that's unfair because I think that's his strength. There's a system and there's someone who can break out of it and surprise the opposition. But, I mean, Manchester United without Bruno... I don't see it."
Bruno Fernandes saw red in each of his last two appearances for Manchester United, against Tottenham Hotspur in the league and FC Porto in the Europa League. The 30-year-old has recorded just one assist in six appearances for the club in the league this season, indicative of his poor form.
Harry Maguire was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag in favor of Fernandes, but the midfielder appears to be struggling with the responsibility. He finished the 2023-24 season with 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions and will be keen to better that tally this season.
Bruno Fernandes set to feature for Manchester United against Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes is available for Manchester United's forthcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa despite seeing red in his last game. The 30-year-old had his red card overturned, nullifying the three-game ban he was set to receive.
Fernandes was the recipient of a straight red card for a foul in the first half of his side's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham last week. The club, however, successfully filed an appeal against the decision.
The Portuguese was due to miss games against Villa, Brentford, and West Ham United due to his suspension. He will now be available for the trip to Villa Park on Sunday, October 6.
He will, however, miss his side's next Europa League game against Fenerbahce after seeing red in the 3-3 draw against FC Porto.