Bruno Fernandes | Match Discussion Thread 2024/25

Rooney - arguably our greatest ever player even though at times he acted like a bit of a tit.
Valencia/Young - given it as senior pro’s I suspect because of their professionalism rather than ability.
Maguire - got the job when no one else was really ready or seemed to want it. Was it 3rd and 2nd in the league in his first 2 seasons but he was rightly replaced.

Bruno is the natural captain of this squad but armband or no armband he needs to up his game. He looks off it physically at the moment and his technique which is brilliant is letting him down.

The red cards are a bit of bad luck but last night was a bad decision. He should be attacking that with his head not trying to control it.
 
Definitely not the worst captain but certainly not anywhere near the best. He frustrates me with his constant little tantrums when teammates give the ball away - not sure that’s what a leader should be doing.
Especially when he is more culpable than his team mates.
 
really your captain needs to do 4 things.

They need to be reliable on the pitch - you can count on them for a 7/10 almost every week.
They need to be reliable off the pitch - set the standards in training and stay out of the headlines.
They need to hold the dressing room together - like any work place there will be little groups but as captain you need to keep those groups connected and working together.
They need to be the voice of the players to the fans - they’re the one who will need to talk after a defeat or in difficult periods.

Bruno I think currently is failing on the first one and his social media post yesterday tells you he’s aware of that. Only he can address that.
 
You've missed the most important one - bringing the players together on the pitch and having them play as a team. Bruno prefers to throw hissy fits and run all over the place, and do as he wants.

He isn't captain material and never was.
 
I disagree it’s the managers job to set the tactics and give everyone their job/role so that they perform as a team.

if players are not doing their job the manager intervenes not the captain.

If Bruno wasn’t captain who would we give it to?
 
I disagree it’s the managers job to set the tactics and give everyone their job/role so that they perform as a team.

if players are not doing their job the manager intervenes not the captain.

If Bruno wasn’t captain who would we give it to?
I love the idea that Roy Keane would not intervene in players not doing their job. His bollocking of Bosnich is legendary, and he'd never met him before.
 
I disagree it’s the managers job to set the tactics and give everyone their job/role so that they perform as a team.

if players are not doing their job the manager intervenes not the captain.

If Bruno wasn’t captain who would we give it to?
I think you misunderstand the main point of a captain and that is to relay the coach's instructions on the pitch when he cannot as he does not play. The captain and coach should be on the same page regarding everything and they should be close knit. That means they both work togther in applying the same tactics. This eliminates any players doing as they want on the pitch as the captain instantly stamps on it without the manager needing to worry.

The problem with our coach and captain is that they obviously do not work together well, or the instructions being given to Bruno are not good. Either way right now Bruno is not working as the captain of our team. If he's not smart enough to understand the instructions he should be replaced in the role. I am of the view though that it is just ETH's tactics being impossible to implement and Bruno is the guy bearing most of the blame as it's his responsibility to pull any player up that isn't doing what he's supposed to.

As for who should be captain? I don't know.
 
I think a major problem for years is not having many natural leaders in the squad. Not sure who you would give the captaincy to if Bruno didn’t have it. Casemiro in days gone by would have been the natural choice but he’s not first choice anymore.

Then you’re potentially looking at De Ligt or Onana maybe.

In the Sir Alex era you couldn’t wish for as many leaders as we had, Rio, Bruce, Vidic, Keane, Rooney, Ronaldo to name a few. Now you’re scratching around with this squad trying to name players who can lead from the front.
 
I'd agree with most of that. I don't think Maguire was working as captain, and Bruno was given it by default by being the player with the most ability in the team - a bad way to select a captain. The thing is though looking back I don't even think there was a better option than that. So yes, I'd say we have had a long ongoing problem with a lack of leaders in the team.

I should point out it's not Bruno's fault, I think he's just being himself and there is nothing wrong with that, and it's not his fault he's not the type to lead a team. I like the player, and always will. It's good he was willing to take on the task, but he's just not any better than Maguire was.

Onana as captain? Pack it in!
 
Just think in the modern game the coach is the one dishing out instructions not the captain.

You don’t need the armband to dish out instructions to your team mates if they’re not doing their job.
 
Just think in the modern game the coach is the one dishing out instructions not the captain.

You don’t need the armband to dish out instructions to your team mates if they’re not doing their job.
I think you only have to see the effect that Keane still has on previous players, especially the 'class of 92' whenever he is around. Scholes sulks about him because he didn't pick him in United's best ever 11 [something Giggs reminds him of frequently in Class of '92], but the others still see him as a 'gaffer', and treat him as such, including Beckham who is far more world famous than Keane is [or wants to be].
 
I think you only have to see the effect that Keane still has on previous players, especially the 'class of 92' whenever he is around. Scholes sulks about him because he didn't pick him in United's best ever 11 [something Giggs reminds him of frequently in Class of '92], but the others still see him as a 'gaffer', and treat him as such, including Beckham who is far more world famous than Keane is [or wants to be].

They certainly respect him and maybe even fear him but the things that made Keane a great captain wasn’t his ability to go round shouting at people. The hard work was something that was drilled into them by Eric Harrison then Fergie and watching Cantona doing the extra training when he was already the best player.

Keane was a top class player who performed every week, he set himself incredibly high standards then expected his team mates to follow his example. He didn’t coach the team on the pitch though he just dished out a few kicks up the backside if players weren’t doing their jobs.
 
Done an interview while in international duties.

Different outlets have cut it up in different ways.

Basically confirmed he had offers in the summer but decided to stay and agree a new deal.
Said his start to the season hasn’t been good enough and he needs to address that as soon as he’s back.
Said he’s comfortable with the national team being back home has helped and the atmosphere with the national team is good and that brings better performances.

It’s the last bit that has been jumped on by a lot of outlets. Not a great thing for your captain to say as it’s basically saying the atmosphere at Utd isn’t good. As a captain you do have to contribute to maintaining a healthy atmosphere in the dressing room.
 
People have feelings, they're not robots. So he's let slip the atmosphere is bad in our dressing room. Who knew?

It's just not news. We're 14th in the league and can't score goals. I'd be more worried to hear the atmosphere is good.

The only way to build up confidence again is go on a winning run of games.
 
I’m sure he could talk to friends or family about his concerns but I think letting it out in the public helps no one.

Making a story when there doesn’t need to be one isn’t very clever.

His own form this season is a big contributing factor to why we are where we are which he himself acknowledged.

Bruno talks a lot in public I think this was a rare slip up from him.
 
I don't think being honest is a slip up. I like it actually. He's taking responsibility for his poor form and letting the world know he needs to do better. I think it does no harm whatsoever because as I explained anybody with half a brain knows the atmosphere around our team right now is dreadful. The results demand that, anything else would be ignorance. A dangerous ignorance. You can't pretend everything is alright when it's clearly not.
 
I doubt anyone thinks the atmosphere is great but how does telling the world it isn’t help make it better?

His job as captain is to lift his team mates.

Being critical of his own performance is fine I just think you have to be very careful with what you say as a Utd player and captain.
 
He's just confirming common knowledge though, mate.

It's not harmful.

What is harmful is lying to the press and treating them like fools.
 
Done an interview while in international duties.

Different outlets have cut it up in different ways.

Basically confirmed he had offers in the summer but decided to stay and agree a new deal.
Said his start to the season hasn’t been good enough and he needs to address that as soon as he’s back.
Said he’s comfortable with the national team being back home has helped and the atmosphere with the national team is good and that brings better performances.

It’s the last bit that has been jumped on by a lot of outlets. Not a great thing for your captain to say as it’s basically saying the atmosphere at Utd isn’t good. As a captain you do have to contribute to maintaining a healthy atmosphere in the dressing room.

Saying it how it is. The atmosphere is shit because our fans are. Many have forgot they're 'supporters' of Manchester United not an ETH out fan club.

Hopefully what he has said is a kick up the ass to some fans and a reminder to actually support the club.
 
Saying it how it is. The atmosphere is shit because our fans are. Many have forgot they're 'supporters' of Manchester United not an ETH out fan club.

Hopefully what he has said is a kick up the ass to some fans and a reminder to actually support the club.

Fans don’t like losing it’s that simple.

They’re pretty fed up of a decade of watching our bitter rivals dominate and consistently turn up on our patch and walk all over us.

The support behind the team, players and manager in the ground home and away has been good. The idea they aren’t getting the support is crazy. Online is a different world and players should just stay away from it. There are certain outlets who claim to be Utd fans that feed off that negativity to make money.

if you really want to point the finger point it right at the top. These owners have driven fans away for around 20 years now. They create the toxic atmosphere and divided the club we just don’t have a genius manager like Fergie anymore to keep a lid on it.

Players at any top side are going to get it during the glory days plenty of players got it off fans but they’d come back to prove them wrong. Its time some of this lot answered back to the critics and Bruno is one who needs to do that.

As I said what Bruno did was a bit daft you don’t let the public in on the behind closed doors stuff.
 
The support behind the team, players and manager in the ground home and away has been good. The idea they aren’t getting the support is crazy. Online is a different world and players should just stay away from it. There are certain outlets who claim to be Utd fans that feed off that negativity to make money.

Fully agree with this. The match going fans support them like crazy and we have the best fans in the country when it comes to those that go.

Our online fan base is toxic. That's what I was referring to.

No one likes losing. But even on here you see comments of not sure how much longer I can take this and when we lose i think good they deserve it. Supporting a team isn't about winning every week it's about being behind them when they're struggling.
 
its also about seeing progress. Of which there is none.

There is a difference about supporting a good team that loses, or a losing team that plays well.

A team that constantly loses, puts in poor performances, seems disjointed and an unhappy camp. Follows up the wort season in the prem with the worst start in the prem, rightly questions need asking. Even the board know it. Are they toxic?

When you see your rival pull away week on week for 18 months, questions need to be asked

Saying the manager is not up to it, is not toxic, or not being a true fan, it's analysing the facts of what we see, and the position in the league. This is a poorly coached team

Match day fans boo the team.
 
Fully agree with this. The match going fans support them like crazy and we have the best fans in the country when it comes to those that go.

Our online fan base is toxic. That's what I was referring to.

No one likes losing. But even on here you see comments of not sure how much longer I can take this and when we lose i think good they deserve it. Supporting a team isn't about winning every week it's about being behind them when they're struggling.

People are entitled to see it how they want to see it and I suspect if any of us were at games we'd be getting behind the team no matter what as that is where it really matters.

However, having chats online or on forums or in the pub after the game you are going to get your feelings off your chest about the game and certain things that happen.

I don't really consider a place like this "online" that's more social media stuff and I don't really engage with the stuff on there as there's people just clowning around to get engagement.

I can see why people reach the stage of being unsure of how much longer they can take it, we really are on the receiving end of it at the moment after a fantastic period of success, I certainly don't let Utd impact my mood as much as it used to.

Personally I don't think any amount of fan support is going to get us out of this rot it's down to the players to start to sort out their own individual issues and to a degree the manager will need to adapt some of his tactics in the bigger games as well.
 
I think what's funny here is that a certain person has again came to the same conclusion about 'most' UTD fans. Labelling them not fit to support his team. Absolutely hilarious. How can anyone know what all of our fans are thinking? The amount of grey area here cannot be imagined. All those different thoughts, that aren't the exact same and have all different levels of frustration. Yet one guy knows it all, how the whole online community feels.

Grow up, really.
 
Fully agree with this. The match going fans support them like crazy and we have the best fans in the country when it comes to those that go.

Our online fan base is toxic. That's what I was referring to.

No one likes losing. But even on here you see comments of not sure how much longer I can take this and when we lose i think good they deserve it. Supporting a team isn't about winning every week it's about being behind them when they're struggling.
Totally agree that supporting a club needs to be 100% in the good times and the bad times, however fans are entitled to their opinions. Some opinions are over the top in my opinion but hey ho that’s life!

I hate to see us lose and really does ruin my enjoyment of a Sunday Roast! And I can see why emotions can spill over online.

Let’s hope the team gets its act together and we can all converse on here in harmony!
 
Better but not great. 2 mins left he pumped a Hollywood ball up field, gave possession away and they could have scored.

Eriksen gets slagged every time the team sheet is released, and I think he's been our best player this year
 
I think we also have been spoilt. We have had great Captains in the past. Players who lift the team with their own game as well. I remember Sir Bobby, Martin Buchanan, Robby, Keane, Rio, Giggs, Rio etc. Even Zlatan. Then it all started to fall apart. To me the problem with Bruno is not only his captaincy but also he is playing as an AM and he cannot hold the ball. If he holds the ball and brings Rasmus into play, Rasmus is going to score a lot more goals. Rasmus is a very quick player and we have 3 quick forwards but it is always played to the wings and they never put in a decent cross most of the time.
 
I think we also have been spoilt. We have had great Captains in the past. Players who lift the team with their own game as well. I remember Sir Bobby, Martin Buchanan, Robby, Keane, Rio, Giggs, Rio etc. Even Zlatan. Then it all started to fall apart. To me the problem with Bruno is not only his captaincy but also he is playing as an AM and he cannot hold the ball. If he holds the ball and brings Rasmus into play, Rasmus is going to score a lot more goals. Rasmus is a very quick player and we have 3 quick forwards but it is always played to the wings and they never put in a decent cross most of the time.

Guessing they are typos?
 
Wouldn’t say he was at his best but still created 7 chances and got an assist.

Feels like he’s getting back in the groove after a poor start to the season.
 

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