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Ex Manchester United winger Paul Scholes believes Manchester United require a “calming influence” as captain following Bruno Fernandes’ difficult week as skipper of the side.
Gary Neville and several others referred to Fernandes as “embarrassing” after he exhibited a poor captain’s performance in United’s 7-0 humiliating loss at Liverpool on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Portuguese international returned to form on Thursday night however, scoring in United’s comprehensive 4-1 victory over La Liga opponents Real Betis.
Fernandes is United’s stand-in captain when Harry Maguire is not selected or unavailable, but if Maguire leaves Old Trafford in the summer, the Portuguese international may assume the post permanently.
Scholes Concerned with Fernandes’ Temperment
This is a significant problem, according to United club legend Scholes.
“Your captain has to be a calming influence, really,” Scholes said on BT Sport after the Europa League game.
“He almost has to be the one who calms characters like him down,” Scholes told his TV colleagues after the United victory in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis, who sit currently fifth in La Liga.
“I worry about him if Manchester United, in March or April time, are going for a league title,” Scholes said.
“I don’t think having Bruno as your captain would be ideal,” he added, “But we know he’s only the vice-captain at the minute, we know Harry Maguire’s not playing.”
“Going forward, bigger games, bigger parts of the season, going for trophies and big Champions League finals and stuff, I think a captain who’s less emotional might be better,” the former England international midfielder stated.
Fernandes has undoubtedly been one of United’s most important players this season, but his behavior during their defeat to Liverpool has raised doubts over his leadership skills.
Neville’s Criticism of Fernandes at Liverpool
“I think some of his behavior in the second half has been a disgrace,” former Manchester United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports last Sunday.
The Premier League tie on Sunday saw United conceded six goals during the second half of their loss to arch-rivals Liverpool.
“Second half has been an absolute disgrace, a shambles. They have not been epitomized more than Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing – a shambles–in this game,” Neville said as a pundit following the game.
Following that disastrous result, United head coach Erik ten Hag and star player Marcus Rashford supported Fernandes prior of Thursday’s match.
Although Scholes believes the former Sporting Lisbon player has many questions to answer, he believes some of the criticism of Fernandes has also been rather excessive.
“You have to remember that he has been asked to play in positions that he is not comfortable in and I think he has sacrificed himself for the team for that,” Scholes explained.
The former United player may well have a point as the club’s lack of depth in the striker position and forward line in general has seen Fernandes pushed out to the wing instead of the number 10 role in which he is strongest.
The Red Devils face Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday at 15:00, where they will hope to further right the wrongs of their Liverpool defeat.
They face a Saints side that look the strongest contenders to be relegated this season and will be heavy favorites to get a result.
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