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Fernandes has been Manchester United’s one consistent outstanding player since a \u00a347m move from Sporting in January 2020, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the manager.<\/p>\n
He has scored 111 goals and made 106 assists in 338 games for the club in all competitions.<\/p>\n
Former manager Erik ten Hag made him the skipper in the summer of 2023 after taking the armband off Harry Maguire, whose place in the team was far from certain.<\/p>\n
But this is not the first time his body language, attitude and behaviour as captain has been criticised.<\/p>\n
He was called a “disgrace” and “embarrassing”<\/a> by United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane after the 7-0 loss to Liverpool in 2023, while Chris Sutton said he should never captain the club again.<\/a><\/p>\n However, last season Fernandes was named the Premier League’s player of the year after a record 21 assists in a season.<\/p>\n “That award was on the back of Michael Carrick becoming the manager,” said Carragher. <\/p>\n “He wouldn’t have got that award without Michael Carrick, because Michael Carrick put him back in his rightful position and he then went on to have a fantastic season because he’s a talented footballer. <\/p>\n “But in terms of attitude and the way he goes about things, it’s not right at all.”<\/p>\n Fernandes has made headlines with his comments before. In August 2025 he said the club needed to make more signings.<\/p>\n That December he was asked about the fact United had been willing to sell him to Al-Hilal and told Canal 11: “From the club I felt it was, ‘If you go it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit.<\/p>\n “More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I’m a player that no-one can criticise, I’m always available, I always give my best.<\/p>\n “I could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money.<\/p>\n “I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.”<\/p>\n But now the narrative might change entirely after his latest comments.<\/p>\n Many will be wondering whether he should even start in Sunday’s game against Bournemouth.<\/p>\n Martinez did keep his place, after apologising, at Leeds last Sunday.<\/p>\n But as United fan Mitten says: ”There was mitigation with Martinez because he wants a new contract. Fernandes is captain.”<\/p>\n There has been no word from the club about whether Fernandes’ role as captain is in jeopardy after his outburst.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n