Former Super Eagles skipper and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has voiced his doubts about Bruno Fernandes’ suitability as Manchester United’s captain.
Speaking on BeinSport’s Premier League broadcast, Mikel expressed his opinion that while Fernandes is a good player, he does not believe the Portuguese star is the right fit for the captain’s role at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes took over the captaincy from Harry Maguire at the start of the 2023 season. Under his leadership, Manchester United won the FA Cup, but his performance as a captain has been met with mixed reviews.
The 29-year-old recently signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him at United until 2027, with the option for an additional year. This means he will likely continue as captain for the foreseeable future.
However, Mikel, who captained Nigeria’s national team with distinction, does not see Fernandes as the ideal leader for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
“For me, as a player, I rate him, but I don’t rate him as a world-class player,” Mikel said. “I rate him but I don’t rate him as a captain. For me, I don’t think he’s a Manchester United captain.”
Despite Mikel’s reservations, Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United since joining from Sporting Lisbon. He has consistently led the team in attacking stats and has become one of the club’s most important players.
There were rumors linking him with a move away from Old Trafford during the summer, but his new contract confirms his commitment to the club.
As Fernandes continues in his role as captain, it remains to be seen whether he can prove his critics wrong and lead Manchester United to further success.
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"I rate him but not as a captain. He shouldn't be Man Utd captain"
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 16, 2024
Mikel John Obi believes that Bruno Fernandes lacks the leadership for the role!#beINPL #MUFC pic.twitter.com/h8ytFmmRbL
For now, Mikel’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about whether Fernandes is the right man to wear the captain’s armband at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
