{"id":26042,"date":"2023-03-09T09:13:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T09:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/09\/bruno-fernandes-an-inspiration-to-man-utd\/"},"modified":"2023-03-09T09:13:13","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T09:13:13","slug":"bruno-fernandes-an-inspiration-to-man-utd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/09\/bruno-fernandes-an-inspiration-to-man-utd\/","title":{"rendered":"Bruno Fernandes an ‘inspiration’ to Man Utd"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fernandes has scored seven goals in 40 games for United in all competitions this season
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says captain Bruno Fernandes is an \u201cinspiration to the team\u201d after his attitude was criticised in the 7-0 Premier League defeat by Liverpool.<\/p>\n

A visibly frustrated Fernandes appeared to push the referee\u2019s assistant in the 81st minute at Anfield.<\/p>\n

Ten Hag said Portugal midfielder Fernandes will remain captain despite calls for him to\u00a0lose the armband.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe is playing a brilliant season,\u201d said Ten Hag.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has played a big role in us being where we are. Everyone makes mistakes and we learn. I have to learn and he will as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is intelligent. I\u2019m really pleased he is our player and he is captain when Harry (Maguire) is not playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former United captain Gary Neville said Fernandes\u2019 behaviour was \u201cembarrassing\u201d and ex-Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said United had \u201cpeople far better qualified to be captain\u201d.<\/p>\n

The defeat was United\u2019s joint-heaviest in a competitive game, while victory was Liverpool\u2019s biggest against their ris.<\/p>\n

United conceded six goals in the second half and Ten Hag said after the match that his side were \u201cunprofessional\u201d and \u201clost our heads\u201d.<\/p>\n

Former England defender Neville questioned Fernandes gesturing to the bench when Marcus Rashford was substituted in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n

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But BBC Sport understands Fernandes was\u00a0seeking clarification\u00a0on his position after Anthony Elanga replaced Rashford.<\/p>\n

Striker Rashford said Fernandes has been a \u201cgood leader\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love playing with Bruno,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t have anything negative to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody is perfect. Sometimes you want to win so bad you end up doing things a little out of character. But I 100% support Bruno and am behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a team we have to support him because he\u2019s a fantastic player. We wouldn\u2019t be in the position we are in if he wasn\u2019t playing games for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

United are third in the Premier League \u2013 14 points behind leaders Arsenal \u2013 and claimed their first trophy in six years by\u00a0winning the Carabao Cup\u00a0last month.<\/p>\n

\u2018We didn\u2019t give up \u2013 that\u2019s nonsense\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former United captain Roy Keane said senior players went \u201cmissing\u201d when the \u201cgoing got tough\u201d against Liverpool and that he would have been \u201cashamed of their performance\u201d.<\/p>\n

But Rashford said suggestions that United gave up are \u201cnonsense\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were unorganised \u2013 yes. Communication was bad \u2013 yes. That\u2019s why we conceded the goals,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt comes down to the fact that I believe everyone was trying to get back into the game that much we came away from the team\u2019s principles, in and out of possession.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ten Hag said United must \u201creset and bounce back\u201d against Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made a mess on Sunday but we are in the same boat,\u201d he said. \u201cWe win together and lose together.\u201d<\/p>\n

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