Bruno Fernandes confirmed as new Manchester United captain

Bruno Fernandes will replace Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain, the club has confirmed.

Fernandes is United’s new skipper (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as Manchester United’s new permanent captain, replacing Harry Maguire after the England defender was stripped of honor by Erik ten Hag.

Maguire played a peripheral role for United last season, finishing the campaign as The Reds’ centre-back, behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw.

Fernandes’ first game as skipper comes on Saturday night, when United take on Arsenal in their first game of their pre-season tour of the United States.

The Portuguese midfielder joined from Sporting Club in January 2020 and quickly emerged as a talisman figure in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team. Fernandes has been an integral part of United, achieving a top-four finish in the 2019-20 season and a runners-up finish in 2020-21, his best Premier League finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

A club statement confirming Fernandes’ new role said: The Portuguese midfielder has already worn the armband several times for United and Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he will now lead the team on a permanent basis.

Fernandes has scored 64 goals and provided 54 assists in just 185 appearances for the club since joining in 2020.

“As captain, two-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year will continue to lead the highest standards across the team as United aim for success in the 2023/24 season and beyond.”