Bruno Fernandes embracing new leadership role at Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes has confessed he is enjoying his role as a leader of the Manchester United dressing room and is relishing the chance to work with the club’s young players.

The Portugal international has regularly worn the captain’s armband in the absence of centre-back Harry Maguire, having proven himself as a natural leader to new manager Erik ten Hag.

“I try to be myself,” Fernandes told The Athletic of his new role. “It’s the way I am – I know that if some people see me talking to my team-mates or giving information to them, some of them like it, others less. I just try to help make the things better for the team.

“It’s something that comes naturally to me. It’s not something that I try and do in training. Even in normal life I try to help people. My mum and my dad made me understand that if you can help the next person, do it. If that means speaking then I speak.”

Part of Fernandes’ role as a team leader has been to work with the crop of young players coming through at Old Trafford – a position the Portugal midfielder has thoroughly enjoyed.

“Lead by example,” he said of his main ambitions with the young players. “Do everything that the coach asks you, do everything that is asked of you in every training session.

“I try to pass confidence to young players, it doesn’t matter how old they are. I also want them to feel part of the family at Manchester United. It’s not just about the first team. And I remember being a young player too and wanting support from older players.”