Why club captaincy won't change Bruno
Bruno Fernandes says it is an honour and a beautiful moment to be named as the new Manchester United club captain, but it is a responsibility that will not change him.
Fernandes was confirmed as the Reds’ skipper on Thursday, as he replaced Harry Maguire in the role.
The 28-year-old has, of course, worn the armband plenty of times already during his three-year United career and, although it is a dream for him to lead the team out, he’ll maintain the high standards he’s already been setting.
“Obviously, it's such a beautiful moment for me and to share it with my family, too,” Bruno told us in an exclusive interview from the team hotel in New Jersey.
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“It's not something that you dream about, because that’s above your dream. It's something that makes you feel proud of everything that we've been doing.
“It's a big responsibility, but it's already a big responsibility to be part of this club. So we know that, for me, it will be the same. I won't change.
“I will keep the same standards and just try to give my best as captain, as I was doing when I wasn't.”
Bruno has already lifted silverware as Reds captain, hoisting the Carabao Cup alongside Maguire at Wembley in February.
And the new skipper thanked the old one for giving him that opportunity, following the victory over Newcastle United, as he looks towards celebrating further success this season.
“It was a great moment and I have to be thankful to Harry because he was the club captain and he didn't have to do that,” he added.
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“Sharing with me that moment is something that I'm really pleased about and, obviously, it's something that you want to do more often and not just being as a captain, but as a Man United player.
“You know that you're playing for big, big achievements, big trophies and you want to do it more often.
“We will keep improving and giving our best to, every time, having that chance.”
Pre-season preparations have ramped up with this week as the squad are now over in the United States, preparing for the friendly against Arsenal in New Jersey.
And Bruno's mission statement is strong as we all look towards the start of our Premier League season on 14 August.
“We will keep trying our best to set the highest standard that this club deserves and as these fans deserve," he asserted.
“We will keep giving our best to be in the best position to win trophies. We will give everything that we can to make them be happy, to make them enjoy our football.
“And, obviously, we’re trying, at the end of the season, to give them even more joy than last season.”