UEFA Champions League
EXCITEMENT ENVELOPES BRUNO FERNANDES THE MOMENT HE LEARNS HE’S CAPTAIN AGAINST PSG
With the dropping of injured Harry Maguire as captain for today’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer announced Bruno Fernandes as the stand-in skipper.
It was a surprisingly shock moment for the footballer. He hadjust become the first professional footballer to be appointed captain on a Zoom press conference call.
From a room deep within Parc des Princes, Fernandes’ surprise was plain to see as he sat alongside Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last night.
Who is going to wear the armband in Paris tonight in the absence of injured skipper Harry Maguire? Solskjaer was asked by the media.
‘The captain sits next to me,’ he replied rather dramatically. ‘Bruno will captain the team tomorrow.’
Apparently no one had thought of informing Fernandes himself. The midfielder’s pride was mixed with a sense of shock.
‘I was not expecting this,’ he exclaimed. ‘I found out this the same time as you!
‘It is an honour and an important achievement for me”, reports Daily Mail.
‘But the captain is everyone — everyone needs to help and be a leader in their way.’
The 26-year-old playmaker is no stranger to the role. He was captain of Sporting Lisbon before moving to Old Trafford in January and has exuded a sense of leadership wherever he has played in his career.
Although United were forced to deny reports that Fernandes had been critical of team-mates during a stormy half-time exchange in the 6-1 defeat against Tottenham earlier this month, he certainly has that in his locker.
‘I think I grew up like this,’ he added last night. ‘It’s the way I have to be in life and in football too. It’s my character.
‘Sometimes it’s too much and sometimes other players are less confident. I think I can help the team with the way I am.