Manchester United are reflecting on a latest crisis with the team suffering another defeat.
One of the highs this year was Manchester United’s away win over Wolves back in January. This latest loss at Molineux ranks as one of the lowest points.
The 2-0 loss to Wolves came amid another tepid performance from United, and began hurdling towards defeat the moment Bruno Fernandes was sent off.
Fernandes was shown a second yellow card, and 10 man United eventually succumbed to a third successive loss.
Bruno Fernandes in the firing line
The red card is Bruno Fernandes’ third sending off of the season, tying an record set by Nemanja Vidic.
One sending off, against Tottenham, was later overturned – yet remains in the record books. He is well short of Roy Keane’s total of 11 career red cards for United.
This red card against Wolves followed his dismissal against Porto, a second yellow card when he should have exercised better judgment.
Fernandes now faces a one-game ban, missing when Manchester United need him, suspended for the fixture with Newcastle next week.
The Manchester United captain came in for immediate criticism, with journalist Henry Winter blasting his lack of responsibility.
Winter pointed to Fernandes’ teammate Harry Maguire, United’s former captain, as a player he regards as better suited to wearing the armband.
He wrote on X: “Bruno Fernandes. Not what you want in a captain. Good player in possession, poor out of possession.
“Doesn’t do enough tracking back or challenging properly for the ball (especially when on a booking, v naive). Maguire is a lesser player but a better captain.”
Amorim faces captaincy decision
While Bruno Fernandes will retain the captain’s armband, he won’t be wearing it for Manchester United’s next game, due to suspension.
New head coach Ruben Amorim will have to decide on his choice of skipper for the Newcastle clash, and Harry Maguire will be among the contenders.
Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Matthijs de Ligt are all players who Amorim could choose to lead the way. Noussair Mazraoui could even be an option.
Maguire is the player with most experience, having captained the club between 2019 and 2023, before Erik ten Hag gave Fernandes the honour.
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