Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp has shared his thoughts on Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been told he "wouldn't have a prayer of making the team" when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford.
United are enduring a poor campaign, but Fernandes has been one of very few shining lights with 24 goal contributions across all competitions so far this season. However, the 30-year-old has still come in for criticism at times, with club legend Roy Keane notably laying into Fernandes last month.
Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has now shared his thoughts on the Portuguese international, claiming he "wouldn't get beyond putting the cones down and handing out bibs" if Ferguson was still at the helm.
"I like manager Ruben Amorim but it will take years to turn them around . . . if it can be done at all," Redknapp said in his latest column for the Sun. "It has become a great club in name only. You'd look at the United of Fergie's day and see superstars everywhere.
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"Amorim would love just one. Bruno Fernandes is the closest and even then no more than a place in the squad. He wouldn't have a prayer of making the team. Who would you drop? Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, even Nicky Butt or Darren Fletcher? Not a chance.
"If Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to get a game, Fernandes wouldn't get beyond putting the cones down and handing out bibs. And I tell you what — if Bruno and Co had been at United when I was managing, I'd know all about winning at Old Trafford."
However, Amorim has previously defended his captain and insisted that United are "lucky to have a player like Bruno Fernandes". Speaking back in January, Amorim said: "I think he's a top player and then people talk a lot about his frustration, always with his arms in the air.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has come in for criticism at times ( Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
"Sometimes it's not a good thing to see, but you have to see the other side. When you are under pressure, he's always the guy that wants the ball, he's always available, and that is so important – especially in the Premier League.
"Then he can run, and he runs a lot. He fights a lot. You have two sides and I have to help him manage both situations. But we are lucky to have a player like Bruno Fernandes."
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