Man Utd announce Bruno Fernandes as new captain to replace Harry Maguire
Posted by  badge Boss on Jul 20, 2023 - 08:59PM
The Portuguese midfielder was already the club’s de facto skipper (Picture: Getty)

Bruno Fernandes has been named the new captain after stripped of the armband over the weekend.

The England international, who had effectively become the club’s fifth-choice centre-back after dramatically falling down the pecking order, announced on Sunday that he had been as skipper.

United later thanking Maguire for his service and confirming that Ten Hag would announce a new captain ‘in due course’ after informing the squad.

Now the club have confirmed that Fernandes has been picked as Maguire’s successor, with the 28-year-old the natural choice given how often he skippered the team last season.

Fernandes had already been the de facto captain at United given Maguire’s limited role and wore the armband in 26 of the side’s 38 Premier League matches last season plus a further 16 times in cup competitions.

Maguire, meanwhile, is said to be about the decision to remove him as captain and is now expected to push for a summer exit, having previously wanted to fight for his place.

In his statement on Sunday, the defender said: ‘After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain.

‘He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.

‘So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.

‘Since the day I took on the role, three and half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date.

‘It’s one of the greatest honours in club football. I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful – on and off the field.

‘I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility and I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support.’

Maguire started just eight Premier League games last season having lost his place in the team with Ten Hag preferring Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his centre-back pairing.

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