Man Utd captain Fernandes names SEVEN teammates who must improve
Tom Hancock
- 27 Jul 2023 14:27 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has picked out seven teammates who he feels have a point to prove in 2023/24.
The Portuguese playmaker recently succeeded Harry Maguire as Man Utd’s permanent captain, and he knows what’s required of his colleagues if Erik ten Hag’s side are to improve on last season’s showing.
United finished third in the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League – marking significant progress from their dire 2021/22 campaign – but they will want to keep building this time around, as they prepare to return to the Champions League.
MORE: PSG step up Hojlund hijack – should Man Utd be worried?
And Fernandes believes there are plenty of players who can raise their game to help facilitate further improvement – including himself, and summer signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana. He said:
“He [Mount] has a point to prove, like everyone else. I have a point to prove. So does Licha [Lisandro Martinez], Casemiro, Rapha [Raphael Varane], Andre [Onana], Harry [Maguire] and Victor [Lindelof].
Fernandes highlighted the weight of expectation from on Mount, who joined Man Utd from Chelsea for an initial £55m. The 28-year-old continued:
“He has goals and assists in him. He can create chances, so we are expecting a lot from him – but he’s aware of that. He’s at a big club and he knows the expectations on him will be big.”
MORE: Ten Hag in Rashford and Garnacho DIG as Man Utd boss sends board clear transfer demand
The big kick-off gets closer and closer
United continued their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Houston on Wednesday.
Ten Hag’s side face Borussia Dortmund, Lens and Athletic Bilbao in further friendlies before getting their Premier League campaign underway against Wolves on August 14.
