Manchester United supporters would prefer Casemiro over Bruno Fernandes as the club's next permanent captain, a new fan poll has found.
Harry Maguire currently serves as club captain, but the England centre-back has not been a regular starter since Erik ten Hag took over as manager. The former Leicester man has been linked with a summer departure, which would force Ten Hag to select a permanent successor.
Bruno Fernandes has worn the armband on a number of occasions this season, having previously skippered Sporting CP in Portugal. However, the midfielder's performance in Sunday's 7-0 defeat at Liverpool has left some calling for him to be denied the chance to captain United permanently.
According to a Manchester Evening News poll, summer signing Casemiro is the fans' preference to take over as club captain if Maguire moves on. The Brazilian claimed 44.2 per cent of the vote, with Fernandes still second with 35.8 per cent.
The third podium place went to David de Gea, with the long-serving goalkeeper receiving 10.7 per cent of the vote. The remaining 9.2 per cent was split between a number of players, including Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.
While Maguire remains out of favour - with Varane and Martinez starting at Liverpool - recent comments from Ten Hag suggested the £80m man could yet have an Old Trafford future. "He had a good performance, he took initiative in and out of possession, and so he was dominating in defence but in offence he had some really good moments," the manager said after the recent FA Cup victory against West Ham.
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The criticism levelled at Fernandes was widespread, with some pointing to the 28-year-old's body language during the heavy defeat at Anfield and others highlighting what was seen as an attempt to get Ibrahima Konate sent off. A push on an official was also a talking point, though the player has escaped sanctions for the incident including assistant referee Adam Nunn.
"Bruno Fernandes, take a bow for one of the worst performances we have seen from a Premier League player, certainly from a captain," former Premier League winner Chris Sutton told the Daily Mail. Sutton pointed to Fernandes' perceived lack of leadership, and questioned whether he should captain United against Real Betis in Thursday's Europa League clash.
"The Incredible Sulk racked up quite the rap sheet at Anfield," Sutton continued. There was nothing professional about this behaviour. It was more befitting a petulant child, and the push on the assistant should result in a ban, no ifs and buts."
Former Man Utd captain Gary Neville was another to tear into the Portugal star. "It was a shambles, epitomised by captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing at times," he said on Sky Sports. "They've not understood the dangers of this fixture. The Manchester United players have been eaten alive out there."
