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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Bruno Fernandes clarifies Harry Maguire 'dig' after Man Utd training picture post

Bruno Fernandes has confirmed "everyone" at Manchester United is happy with Harry Maguire's leadership after making a questionable social media post last week.

The Portugal international shared a picture of himself standing in between Eric Bailly and Raphael Varane with the caption: "Feeling very safe between these two."

Some United fans believed Fernandes' post was a cryptic message, suggesting the two defenders should play at centre-back together in place of Maguire.

Fernandes, however, has denied that theory and claimed the post was just a bit of fun.

"Honestly, I think people question everything at this club," he told Premier League Productions when asked. "Every week we have a new story about something.

Should Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick appoint a new captain? Let us know in the comments below!

Bruno Fernandes shared this picture on his Instagram page last week (brunofernandes.10 / Instagram)

"I posted a photo on Instagram where I was with Rapha and Eric and I said, 'I feel very secure in the middle with these two.'

"Meaning, 'security' like if [someone] comes they are like my bodyguards. And people were complaining I was throwing something at Maguire.

"But Maguire was not the only defender who was not in the photo. [Victor] Lindelof was not in the photo, Phil Jones was not in the photo.

"People want to complain and want to make stories around us, but the most important [thing] is that we stick together and do our jobs on the pitch.

"Obviously, everyone is really happy with H because it’s really tough being in his place in the last period. Honestly, we all have bad games.

"And when we don’t win it’s not because H is not playing well, or Bruno is not playing well, it’s because the team is not playing well and it’s not performing in the right way.

"For us inside the dressing room is not where we blame someone, but [to] understand how we come out of bad situations."

Maguire, who scored in the 4-2 victory against Leeds on Sunday, has endured a difficult campaign following England's success at Euro 2020.

United have conceded 34 Premier League goals this season - four more than Burnley in the relegation zone and twice as many as leaders Manchester City.

Harry Maguire is enduring a difficult campaign (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"He [Maguire] is our captain and I don’t see any reason to change that," said interim manager Ralf Rangnick ahead of United's win against Leeds.

"He is also a player who has to develop and get better like all the other players."

Maguire joined United from Leicester for £80million in the summer of 2019 but is yet win a major honour at club or international level.

"The way we playing now is new to him, also because in the English national team he is used to playing in a back three and here at Man Utd in a back four," added Rangnick.

"But still not being as proactive with that kind of defence when we try and be on the front foot trying to defend.

"This is something new to him and it will take some time for him to get used to that and adjusted to that and this is what I can say to that."

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