Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes has been scrutinised by Andy Towsend (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have been scrutinised for handing Bruno Fernandes the captaincy by Andy Townsend, who has claimed Erik ten Hag only made the appointment to keep the Portuguese playmaker at the club. The 28-year-old was handed the armband this summer - replacing Harry Maguire - but Townsend is unconvinced that he is the right man for the job.
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United were beaten convincingly by Tottenham on Saturday and the display suggested they were devoid of leaders.
The Red Devils also flattered to deceive in their opening-day triumph over Wolves, narrowly edging Gary O'Neil's side 1-0 in fortuitous fashion at Old Trafford.
Townsend has questioned whether United have the right leader steering the ship on the field - even suggesting Fernandes was only appointed to keep him at the club.
He said on talkSPORT: "They make people captain like they want them to stay. They want to keep them there.
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Townsend then continued: "They do, they do. But too many times now I see people given an armband not necessarily because they are the right man for the job but because they're the top man or our biggest asset."
Fernandes' captaincy credentials were fiercely criticised by Roy Keane in March after Liverpool pulverised Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.
The Portuguese was accused of asking to be substituted during the one-sided beatdown when United needed to stick their chests out.
"Fernandes’ body language today was nothing short of disgraceful," Keane said on Sky Sports.
"A really talented boy, he's your captain, but his body language, waving his arms, not running back, you wouldn’t be happy with him in your dressing room."
Ten Hag, however, is adamant he made the right decision after brutally axing Maguire as skipper.
He said earlier this month: “I think that is why he's captain, because he has a very good personality. He is a character and he wants to contribute in his way to the team.
“And it doesn't change when the role is changed, because he is now officially captain: last year, for most of the games, he was wearing the [arm]band.”