Paul Scholes calls on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to appoint 'less emotional' captain than Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United would benefit from a captain “who is less emotional” than Bruno Fernandes, according to BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes. The Portugal international, who is vice-captain to Harry Maguire, was heavily criticised for his performance in the shock 7-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, with his body language and perceived petulant behaviour raising eyebrows given his role in the team. Ad Despite the unwanted attention, Erik ten Hag has publicly backed Fernandes and stressed that he is “definitely” keeping him as the club’s vice-captain.

Premier LeagueTen Hag defends Fernandes after Liverpool controversy — 'Everyone makes mistakes'YESTERDAY AT 18:02 “Your captain has to be a calming influence, really. He has to be the leader,” began Scholes, ahead of United's last-16 Europa League tie against Real Betis at Old Trafford. “He almost has to be the one who calms down characters like him.

“I’d worry about him if Manchester United, in March [or] April time, are going for a league title, I don’t think him as your captain would be ideal. “Going forward, the bigger games, bigger parts of the season, going for trophies and big Champions League finals and stuff, I think a captain who is less emotional might be better.” However, Scholes believed there has been an overreaction to Bruno’s performance, adding: “You have to remember he’s being asked to play in positions that he's not comfortable with doing, and I think he's sacrificing himself for the team for that. “He was clearly frustrated with his team-mates.

I think when he looks back, I don't think he’ll be proud of what happened on Sunday, throwing his arms up in the air, pushing the linesman. “And I think he'll learn from that. Going forward, I think he’ll try to get rid of