Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes captain Bruno Fernandes is the "perfect captain" for the team, but suggests the Portuguese midfielder sometimes needs to trust his teammates more.
Amorim's comments came after Fernandes scored a hat-trick in United's impressive 4-1 Europa League victory against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, further cementing his importance to a struggling United side.
"When we need it, he is always there," Amorim said of his compatriot. "He can bring the ball forward. He can score goals. He is a perfect captain for our team and we need to help him win titles."
Despite Manchester United sitting 14th in the Premier League and facing their worst league campaign since being relegated in 1973-74, Fernandes has been a rare bright spot. He leads the team in scoring with 15 goals, with no other player reaching double figures this season.
The Portuguese midfielder has scored in 12 different matches this season, with his contributions proving decisive in eight of those games, turning potential losses into draws and draws into victories.
Former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised Fernandes' recent performances on TNT Sports: "Over this last six-to-seven weeks he's been brilliant. He's playing a bit deeper these days rather than that 10 role. He's carrying this team to a little bit of success."
In the past month alone, Fernandes scored United's goal in their draw with Arsenal, netted an equalizer in an FA Cup tie against Fulham (which they eventually lost on penalties), and delivered a superb free-kick to bring United back into a game at Everton they seemed likely to lose.
Fernandes' durability is another asset, with only fellow Portuguese teammate Diogo Dalot making more appearances than his 43 this season among United's outfield players.
However, Amorim pointed out a flaw in Fernandes' game, noting that he sometimes disrupts the team's shape by abandoning his position to chase possession when frustrated.
"We know that sometimes he is frustrated," Amorim explained. "We know he wants to win so badly and when things are not going well, he is changing position and going after the ball. Sometimes he needs to trust his team-mates."
Fernandes has been a polarizing figure at times, with his captaincy previously criticized by former United captain Gary Neville following a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool in March 2023. More recently, club legend Roy Keane questioned Fernandes' performances and dismissed claims that United's difficult season would be worse without him by asking "how much worse could it be?"
Despite these criticisms, Fernandes' latest hat-trick performance against Real Sociedad kept alive United's hopes of winning a trophy this season and securing European football for next term.
