Erik ten Hag explained his decision to strip Bruno Fernandes of the Man Utd club captaincy.

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has faced criticism early in the Premier League season and has been advised to reevaluate his selection of the Red Devils’ captain after the team’s loss to Liverpool.

In order to help free up his star player, Erik ten Hag has been advised to remove Bruno Fernandes from the Manchester United captaincy.

Alan Pardew, the former manager of Newcastle and Crystal Palace, thinks the armband can be a burden for the Portugal international, who just signed a new deal with the Red Devils last month. Like his players, the captain struggled in the match against Liverpool.

Starting with the 2023–24 season, Fernandes assumed the captaincy of Erik ten Hag’s team, succeeding Harry Maguire. Despite leading the team through a challenging season, the former Sporting CP player ended the campaign by lifting the FA Cup.

The 29-year-old midfielder was unable to prevent Manchester United from losing to Liverpool at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils had a dismal start to the new campaign. According to Pardew, Fernandes was unable to lead United’s team effectively because of their troubles against Arne Slot’s group.

Pardew said on talkSPORT, “Today, it was never Fernandes because they (United) never had the ball enough.” “He hasn’t been called upon to defend. How can he guide the group? It’s a really challenging one for him.

“I genuinely believe that removing it from him would be better for him as a football player. I believe it could provide him some freedom and allow him to be a little more open-minded. He’s undoubtedly concerned about the wingers and the back four. You’re not really sure how to handle it. I’m not sure, but I believe it hinders him.”

Pardew continued, “It can be difficult to decide which technical players should wear the armband.” The 63-year-old former Charlton and Crystal Palace player said that these guys can have challenging

“You have your technical skipper and your skipper who is out there. I believe it’s always risky to have a technician as a captain because they are going to have off games.

“Even the greatest of them, (Christian) Eriksen and (Michel) Platini, would have a bad day. They were proficient players.

Paul Ince and Roy Keane, among others, have questioned Fernandes’ leadership. When questioned about the comments at a press conference last term, Fernandes responded angrily. “I have to deal with that,” he uttered. I am aware that the difficult part always arises after the initial games, when performances and results aren’t always what they should be.

“I am aware that my arrival numbers made me a target. My attention is directed towards my team, employees, and coworkers on a daily basis. Becoming the captain hasn’t altered who I am. I’m quite honest with everyone. I must continue in the same manner.”