Journalist claims Manchester United star is ‘lesser player, but a better captain’ compared to Bruno Fernandes after red card in defeat to Wolves

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has come under criticism from journalist Henry Winter, who reckons that Harry Maguire is a better captain than the Portuguese. The midfielder received his third red card this season in the defeat to Wolves, leading his side to suffer a 2-0 defeat at the Molineux.

Center referee Tony Harrington immediately put the whistle to his mouth and brandished a yellow card to Fernandes, who had already received one booking in the first half, sending him off. This was merely two minutes into the second half when the 30-year-old's loose touch caused him to clatter into Nelson Semedo, and this proved to be the turning point in the game.

Journalist Henry Winter took to X to comment on the Portugal international's send off, pointing out that he is a liability out of possession. He also shared his opinion that while Fernandes is superior to Harry Maguire as a footballer, he is not as good a captain as Maguire was.

“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.”

Bruni Fernandes officially replaced Maguire as captain of the Red Devils at the end of the 2022-23 season, having captained the side many times under Erik ten Hag. The former Sporting CP man is in his second season as club captain and helped his side win the FA Cup as captain in the 2023-24 season.

Fernandes has now become the first Manchester United player to receive three red cards in a single season since Nemanja Vidic back in the 2008-09 season. He also got sent off against Tottenham Hotspur (overturned) and FC Porto this season.

Bruno Fernandes sees red as Manchester United bow to Wolves

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes played for just 47 minutes before heading back to the dressing room following a sending-off in his side's 2-0 defeat to Wolves. The Red Devils lost a third game in succession and are winless since their Manchester derby win earlier this month.

Wolves scored both of their goals after Fernandes' sending-off, as the Red Devils looked incapable of causing them any problems following the red card. Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner kick in the 58th minute before setting up a 99th-minute breakaway goal for Hwang Hee-Chan.

Manchester United find themselves in 14th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone after 18 rounds of games. Their captain and most creative player Bruno Fernandes will now be suspended for their next game against Newcastle United on Monday.