Portuguese footballer, Bruno Fernandes has been named as the new captain of Manchester United heading into the 2023/24 season.
He will be replacing Harry Maguire who was recently stripped of the captain’s armband after falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, making just eight Premier League starts last season.
In Maguire’s absence from matches played by Manchester United last season, 28-year-old Bruno Fernandes was most frequently appointed captain and had been widely expected to be given the permanent role. The playmaker wore the captain armband in 45 matches in the 2022-23 campaign.
He featured in all but one of the team’s league fixtures as United finished third to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2021.
Bruno has also been one of United’s most consistent and impressive performers since his arrival in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon. He has scored 64 goals in 185 appearances for the club so far and helped the club to their first trophy under Ten Hag, the EFL Cup, last season.
The club wrote on their official website:
“Bruno Fernandes has been named as the new club captain of Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder has already worn the armband for United on numerous occasions and Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he will now lead the team on a permanent basis.
“Fernandes has scored 64 goals and contributed 54 assists in just 185 games for the club since joining in 2020.
“As captain, the two-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year will continue to drive the highest standards throughout the squad as United push for success in the 2023/24 season and beyond.”
Fernandes’ first game as skipper will come on Saturday night, when United take on Arsenal in their first fixture of their pre-season tour of the United States.
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