In the third round of the English Premier League's Double Red Club, Manchester United defeated Liverpool at home with a score of 0-3, a loss that not only disappointed Red Devils fans, but also triggered a deep reflection on the team's internal problems. The performance of Bruno Fernandes, the new captain of the team, became the center of attention. After the match, former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was outspoken in his opinion that Manchester United manager Jens Ten Hagar should consider relieving Bruno Fernandes of his captaincy.
Pardew pointed out that although Bruno Fernandes is a skilled player on the pitch, handing him the captain's armband could be a "dangerous decision". He explained that technical players are often more prone to fluctuations in form when under pressure, whereas the role of captain requires more mental stability and leadership skills. Pardew believes that Bruno Fernandes' creativity seems to have been hampered by his captaincy and that he has been distracted by the performance of his teammates, which has affected his play on the pitch to a certain extent.
Specifically for the game, Pardew felt that Bruno Fernandes was not the only player to underperform, but due to his captaincy, his performance has come under more scrutiny and criticism. He emphasized that United's lack of time of possession in the game limited Bruno Fernandes in the attacking end of the pitch, while he did not have to get too involved in the defensive end of the pitch, which made it difficult for him to find a clear leadership direction on the pitch.
Pardew's suggestion is not an empty one. It is true that Bruno Fernandes has failed to live up to expectations in the Premier League since being appointed captain by Ten Hagar at the start of the 2023-24 season. Despite wearing the captain's armband on several occasions in previous seasons and putting in some impressive performances, his first full season as official captain has not seen a significant improvement in his goal and assist figures, but instead has seen him face more pressure and skepticism.
United and Ten Hagar need to give serious consideration to this suggestion. The captain is the soul and leader of the team, and his performance has a direct impact on the overall morale and fighting spirit of the team. If Bruno Fernandes does feel pressurized and struggles to perform after captaining the team, then adjusting the captaincy might be an option worth exploring. Of course, this does not mean that Bruno Fernandes' ability and contribution should be completely denied, but rather the most reasonable decision should be made on the basis of respecting the player's individual will and the overall interests of the team.
