Erik Ten Hag supports Bruno Fernandes as Man Utd captain

• Erik Ten Hag supports Bruno Fernandes as Man Utd captain.
• Marcus Rashford praised Fernandes as the perfect player to play alongside.
• Anthony Martial and Marcel Sabitzer won’t be available for Ten Hag’s team.

After Manchester United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool, manager Erik ten Hag announced that Bruno Fernandes will take Harry Maguire’s place as captain.

Ten Hag responded, “Absolutely, without a doubt,” when asked by media on Wednesday if Fernandes will continue to command the side when necessary.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s first-leg match against Real Betis in the round of 16 at Old Trafford, the Netherlands manager added, “I think he is playing a brilliant season and he has played a big role in us being where we are.”

“He’s giving energy to the team, running a lot with intensity, in the right way. He’s pointing and coaching players, he’s an inspiration for the whole team.

“No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. I’m really happy to have Bruno Fernandes in my team and I’m happy with him as our captain with Harry not on the pitch.”

Marcus Rashford, a striker for United, praised Fernandes as “the perfect player to play alongside” and offered his support.

Marcus told reporters, “He’s been a good leader for us, even when he’s not captain, which is always a good sign,”

“He’s helped other players become better leaders and the reality is that we can’t be an organised team in terms of just one leader being captain.

“He’s done a lot for us. I don’t have anything negative to say about Bruno. As the manager said, nobody is perfect. I support him and I’m 100% behind him.”

As they take on Betis, who are fifth in the LaLiga standings with 41 points and have gone unbeaten in their last four games, including a 0-0 tie with Real Madrid, Ten Hag urged his team to regroup and recover.

Ten Hag said, “(The coach and players) are in the same boat, we do it together. We win and lose together. We made a mess on Sunday and we have to deal with that,”

“(The defeat) had a lot of lessons in it and it can help us in the future. We were really below average, especially mentality-wise.

“We want to win trophies and you have to act different. After Sunday, we got a big lesson, we take it and we have to move on, look forward. Use all the energy and focus on the next game.”

Anthony Martial and Marcel Sabitzer won’t be available for Ten Hag’s team on Thursday, and Donny van de Beek (knee) and Christian Eriksen (ankle) will be sidelined indefinitely.

Ten Hag said in an interview that was published on Wednesday, “We have a good programme. But I believe we’re doing really well.

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