Bruno Fernandes has been told to stop doing one thing by a Manchester United legend who understands the weight that comes with the captain's armband better than most
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Updated 09:50, 25 Mar 2025
Bruno Fernandes adjusts his captain's armband
Bryan Robson has urged Bruno Fernandes to adjust his behaviour(Image: Getty Images)
Bryan Robson has urged Bruno Fernandes to stop playacting amid fears he's setting a bad example as Manchester United captain.
Fernandes is on top form at the moment, with six goal contributions in his last four Premier League games, but his efficacy as captain has, at times, been called into question. Robson, who wore the armband for over a decade at Old Trafford, says he's been impressed with how Fernandes has grown into the role but insists there are still some kinks that need to be ironed out.
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"I hope that he stays away from the rolling over when he gets tackled and that sort of thing," Robson said, speaking exclusively to MEN, via BetSelect. "But he's coming into his own as a captain.
"I think the manager has told him you've got to be a leader on the pitch. You can see him talking to people now, saying, 'This is what we're doing because this is what the manager wants'. He looks as if he's encouraging the players and saying, 'You should be in this position or that position'. I hope he keeps continuing to do that because you've got to.
"If you've got a football brain and you're playing well, and the manager has made you captain, you've got to try and get the best out of the players around you and make sure that they do what the manager asked them to do.
"I think Bruno has done what I'd expect of a United captain, to a degree. Unfortunately for Bruno, the team hasn't been good enough to win as many or major trophies as Manchester United should win."
Bruno Fernandes reacts while on the ground
Robson thinks Fernandes spends too much time "rolling over" on the floor
Fernandes, 30, took the captain's armband from Harry Maguire in 2023, becoming, at the time, the club's fifth permanent skipper in five years. Ever since, he's been a relatively bright spark in an otherwise gloomy period for the the Red Devils.
That said, the Portugal international has been far from perfect, but Robson thinks his confidence is beginning to make "a massive difference", with Ruben Amorim's side showing signs of turning a corner in recent weeks following back-to-back victories by three-goal margins against Real Sociedad and Leicester.
"He [Fernandes] has been in fantastic form in the last two months," Robson, 68, said. "He is so confident at the moment. You can see it in his game.
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson captained Man United for over a decade
"He's just loving his game at the moment, and he's making a massive difference. And that's what sometimes confidence can do. Players need confidence. And if they've got the ability, then it can make a major improvement on their game."
Things may indeed be looking up, but United, who are 13th in the league, are on the verge of a tricky run of fixtures. They face high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground next week before welcoming Manchester City to Old Trafford a few days later.
After that, they have a trip to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle sandwiched between both legs of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Ligue 1 giants Lyon.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and head coach Ruben Amorim
Fernandes has been in good form recently, much to the relief of under-pressure boss Ruben Amorim
Fernandes is currently enjoying his best scoring season since his 28-goal haul in 2020/21, with 16 strikes to his name in all competitions so far. He needs just five more to reach a century of goals for United and move level with Robson, who notched 100 goals in 465 games for the club.
Having joined from West Brom in 1981 for a then-British transfer record of £1.5million, Robson was a mainstay in United's side for 13 seasons. He helped the club clinch six major honours, including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.