![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rio-ferdinand-gives-verdict-on-nitpicking-man-utd-debate-under-erik-ten-hag/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_RIO.jpg&description=Harry Maguire was stripped of the Manchester United captain's armband just days before the start of their summer pre-season tour - and Bruno Fernandes has stepped in to replace him Rio Ferdinand has backed Erik ten Hag's decision to hand the Manchester United captaincy to Bruno Fernandes - and slammed "nitpicking" critics. Under-fire defender Harry Maguire - who is expected to join West Ham in a £30million move - was stripped of the captain's armband just days before the start of their pre-season tour of the United States, causing uncertainty for the player and club. But Ten Hag quickly moved to replace the England centre-back, with Portugal star Fernandes stepping in. Fernandes previously captained United, particularly last season as Maguire struggled for minutes under Ten Hag. The former Sporting Lisbon star, however, also attracted criticism for his on-pitch antics from former Red Devils stars Roy Keane and Gary Neville. But TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand has thrown his support behind Fernandes and said: 'Captaincy, is Bruno the right fit? There's been some talk that (Lisandro) Martinez may have been a better fit…I'm delighted he's got it. People are nitpicking. Look at Bruno and look at his output since he's been at the club. "No-one is near him in terms of numbers, in terms of influence and consistency. He's been that guy. He's been rewarded and rightly, so I think., Nitpicking at his demeanour - is that a worry? Anyone that would have got the job people would have said 'well, what about this?' 'It would have been different things for different people. I think there are elements in his game, or his demeanour maybe, that as a captain, just having the armband and the responsibility will sort itself out because he's mature enough to understand his actions have consequence or an impact on other people. When you get the armband, and I've experienced that, you self-regulate anyway, and I think he'll do that.' Meanwhile, Erik Ten Hag also backed up his decision saying Fe){kind=link}
Harry Maguire was stripped of the Manchester United captain’s armband just days before the start of their summer pre-season tour – and Bruno Fernandes has stepped in to replace him
Rio Ferdinand has backed Erik ten Hag’s decision to hand the Manchester United captaincy to Bruno Fernandes – and slammed “nitpicking” critics.
Under-fire defender Harry Maguire – who is expected to join West Ham in a £30million move – was stripped of the captain’s armband just days before the start of their pre-season tour of the United States, causing uncertainty for the player and club. But Ten Hag quickly moved to replace the England centre-back, with Portugal star Fernandes stepping in.
Fernandes previously captained United, particularly last season as Maguire struggled for minutes under Ten Hag. The former Sporting Lisbon star, however, also attracted criticism for his on-pitch antics from former Red Devils stars Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
But TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand has thrown his support behind Fernandes and said: “Captaincy, is Bruno the right fit? There’s been some talk that (Lisandro) Martinez may have been a better fitâ¦I’m delighted he’s got it. People are nitpicking. Look at Bruno and look at his output since he’s been at the club.