Ten Hag: Bruno is still the same character

Fernandes told us that he would ‘keep the same standards and just try to give his best’, shortly after it was announced he would take the armband, while the Reds were on tour in the United States.

And the boss agrees with that assessment now United are back working at Carrington and building towards the start of a new Premier League season.

“No, absolutely not,” Erik replied, when asked by Premier League Productions' Ian Irving if our no.8 had altered his behaviour around the rest of the squad.

“I think that is why he's captain, because he has a very good personality. He is a character and he wants to contribute in his way to the team.

“And it doesn't change when the role is changed, because he is now officially captain: last year, for most of the games, he was wearing the [arm]band.”

Ten Hag has already shared his view of Fernandes as an ‘intermediary on the pitch’, in being able to communicate his plans and influence games.

Part of that involves harnessing emotions, something United were accused in some quarters of overlooking at difficult times during last season.

Erik feels Bruno and his team-mates are improving in that regard as he looks to further implement his style of football on a squad that impressed in finishing third and winning the Carabao Cup in 2022/23.

“I think every player always can improve and also Bruno. One of his great skills is emotion and football needs emotion,” Erik added.

“If you want to perform, you need that emotion in the game to win games - and top football is only about winning games.

“But some moments you have to be aware of it. You have to control it, to keep the strategy in the game and think steadily.

“Yeah, [he] definitely can make a step, but I think, last year already, he was on the way to making a big step in that respect.”

While the captaincy is no doubt a key element of Ten Hag’s team planning, the boss believes the most important thing is Bruno maintaining his elite productivity in the final third, after a season in which he contributed 14 goals and 15 assists.

“First, you have to be in that position and then I think things can speed up,” he responded to a further question about becoming a better leader with age and experience.

“And yeah, he's definitely improving in that role, but it's only a role because, most of all, he has to contribute on the pitch and in his positioning.

“What we expect from him there is that he is magnificent in pressing, counter-pressing, attacking transitions and what we expect from him in that final part of the game is that he is decisive, and in decisions, and he has the key actions, the assists and the goals.”

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