congratulated Bruno Fernandes on becoming the new captain after the armband was taken from the Englishman and given to the Portuguese star.
Fernandes confirmed before the Red Devils embarked on their tour of .
United manager for the club despite being stripped of the captaincy as he no longer commands a regular place in the starting XI.
Clearly a disappointing situation for the England defender, but Fernandes says he has handled it graciously despite it being a ‘difficult’ time.
‘He gave me congratulations and he said he is really happy for me,’ said the former Sporting midfielder of Maguire’s reaction to the armband switch.
‘I understand his position is not the best at the moment. It has to be difficult for him but he came and said congratulations to me and I am happy about that because we have always had a good relationship.’
The 28-year-old also revealed how Ten Hag let the squad know who would be taking the armband, holding a team meeting to announce the news.
‘He spoke in front of the whole group,’ said Fernandes of Ten Hag. ‘He wanted to do it in front of everyone.
‘Everyone already knew about the situation with H [Maguire] but no one knew who would be the next captain so he did it in a team meeting with everyone together because it’s something we have to do more often, to keep the things inside and give the compliments inside to ourselves.
‘Obviously it’s a big honour and it’s something that I didn’t dream about. It’s over your dreams but it’s something for me and my family, because they have been with me all this time, and it’s a proud moment for everyone.’
Fernandes was also asked about whether he would change as a player or personality while wearing the armband, but said he would stick to what the manager clearly likes about him already.
‘That’s why the manager chose me, because of what I was doing last season, the way he wants me to be,’ said Fernandes. ‘He likes the way I work he likes my discipline, he likes everything I give, so I don’t see why I should change.’
The Red Devils continue a string of pre-season friendlies after beating Arsenal on Saturday, playing Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the coming days in the States.
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