Ally McCoist hasn’t been impressed with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in recent weeks.
Manchester United’s promising start to 2024 came to an abrupt end on Saturday as Erik ten Hag’s team slipped to their first defeat of the season against Fulham.
The Cottagers were well worthy of their 2-1 victory, secured by Alex Iwobi’s winning strike in the 97th minute.
United were largely terrible and only managed to scrape a late equaliser when Harry Maguire bundled in home a rebound, but it didn’t salvage a point.
Ten Hag and many of his players have come in for stiff criticism in the aftermath of the defeat, which now sees United eight points off a Champions League place.
Bruno Fernandes is one of those to come under fire and Ally McCoist isn’t sure he should be captain.
Ally McCoist on Bruno Fernandes
On TalkSPORT, McCoist was asked whether he would keep or sell Fernandes and said: “I think from United’s point of view you’ve got to keep him.
“You can’t have a mass exodus right? That’s for sure.
“So, in an ideal world, you would put them in order, but it’s so difficult now if players are sitting on long-term contracts, getting paid a lot of money.
“I’m still not convinced that he’s a Manchester United captain, you look at guys like Bryan Robson and boys like that, it’s a different level.
“But I think in the grand scheme of things at this moment in time, you’ve got to keep him.”
Bruno Fernandes’ rotten run
Although United did enjoy a promising start to the year, it was mostly due to the fantastic form of young trio Ramus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Fernandes, on the other hand, has seen his influence on the team and in matches wane in recent weeks.
The playmaker hasn’t scored against Premier League opposition since November, with his only goals in 2024 coming against Newport County and Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
But what’s more of a problem for United is that Fernandes tries too hard when things aren’t going his way and tends to make things worse.
The £240k-a-week man tries to overcorrect by attempting the spectacular and it winds up being destructive to the side’s overall play.
After the loss at Fulham, Fernandes was also seen arguing with the referee as he once again lets his frustrations get the better of him.
It is not becoming of a captain and why he is now under such scrutiny.
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