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Instantly turned into a gif, Bruno Fernandes reaction sat inside an empty Parc des Princes when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed his captain for the night.
If Fernandes already knew, he did a good job of hiding it, raising both eyebrows and trying hard to hide a broad smile. He will lead Manchester United against Paris Saint-Germain, on the scene of his best night under Solskjaer in 2019.
‘I wasn’t expecting this, I found out at the same time as you!’ said the Portuguese at a press conference. “It is an honor, an important achievement for me.”
Bruno Fernandes will captain Manchester United against PSG on Tuesday night
In nine months at the club, he has already become the leader they desperately wanted
Depending on his team selection, there were other options for Solskjaer in the absence of Harry Maguire. David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have worn the bracelet in the past.
De Gea previously would have been the natural choice, but he has not been the team’s captain since he publicly conveyed his direct views on the club’s performances following the loss to Newcastle this time last year.
That’s an interesting stance for Solskjaer to take, given that one of Fernandes’s main traits is his demanding attitude and serious about the best of those around him. United players first saw that after a game at Everton last season, when their new signing was unhappy with his teammates, apparently happy with a draw inside the locker room afterward.
David de Gea has been at United for nine years, but has been rejected as captain
Paul Pogba (center) is another important figure who is overlooked in favor of Fernandes at PSG
There was also a clip from Monday’s training session in Carrington, just before United flew to France, which captured it perfectly. Alex Telles, who has yet to make his left-back debut, was at the extreme.
Telles had gotten Fernandes into trouble during one round, a slow pass that allowed Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani to converge on possession of the midfielder and nick. For losing, Fernandes had to leave his post to chase the ball when play resumed, but not until after he had scolded Telles.
United supporters saw that as further proof that he was captain’s stuff – a man upset about giving up during a round is a man who can galvanize on the pitch – and hours later he got his wish.
“I think I grew up like this,” Fernandes said. ‘It’s the way I have to be in life and also in football. It is my character. Sometimes it is too much and sometimes other players are less. I think I can help the team with the way I am.
Solskjaer surprised the Portuguese midfielder with his announcement at the press conference
In a recent training round, Fernandes berated his new teammate Alex Telles for a bad pass.
“All the players are motivated and you need all the different characters on the team to complete a very good team.
“I think it is important, as I am, to complete others, and it is important that the qualities that others have complete me.
“The captain is everyone, everyone needs to help, be a leader in their own way. Leadership is different for each player. It’s not about me, it’s about the team. ‘
Fernandes has enjoyed a stellar first nine months at Old Trafford, contributing 11 goals and nine assists in his first 18 Premier League appearances. He offers Solskjaer something different in the final third, someone who is not averse to taking risks. United has lacked that for years.
But he has not done everything his way. There have been games where the 26-year-old has played poorly, those intricate passes haven’t come out, and possession has been surrendered far too often.
Club captain Harry Maguire has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game so Fernandes is captain
United were aware of this and this is why they signed up when they spent an initial £ 47 million on it from Sporting Lisbon. However, they knew that he would not hide on those days off, unlike so many others before. The plunge into his own half to open up midfield when United countered Newcastle with the game still 1-1 last weekend is a decent example, ending the quick break himself four minutes after missing a crucial penalty.
You can say what you want within the sanctity of the locker room, but you’re leading by example on the field, especially when your own game isn’t at its peak, that will have impressed Solskjaer. You need someone who takes responsibility, who has a sense of responsibility when he puts on the United jersey.
It sounds pretty basic, but that quality is often lacking. His real influence will become apparent at the end of his first full season, but for now, at least United have someone to turn to for inspiration.
Despite United’s poor start to 2020-21, Fernandes has shone, with three goals and three assists
