Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed Bruno Fernandes' role in the team after the Portuguese was heavily criticised following their 7-0 loss to Liverpool.
Check Out: How Ten Hag 'Punished' Man Utd Stars After Liverpool Defeat
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the Dutchman issued a defiant response to the midfielder's critics after his antics on Sunday.
Ten Hag insisted that the Portugal international will remain captain when Harry Maguire does not play, despite calls from ex-players and pundits for Fernandes to lose the armband.
"I'm happy to have Bruno Fernandes as captain. Definitely [still captain], I think he's playing a brilliant season, he's played an important role in the position that we are," he told reporters, as per Sky Sports.
"He's giving energy to the team, running with intensity, in the right way.
"Nobody is perfect, everybody makes mistake. I have to learn. He will too."
Fernandes received strong criticism following the Red Devils' historic defeat at Anfield this past weekend as fans questioned his attitude and leadership skills.
The midfielder has acted as United's vice-captain all season, but has assumed the role of skipper for most of the campaign amid Maguire's struggles to get into the starting XI.
Marcus Rashford echoed Ten Hag's support for the under-fire 28-year-old, saying: "I love playing with Bruno, as you can imagine. I'm 100% behind him. Bruno helped other players become better leaders."
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