Manchester United appoints Bruno Fernandes as new captain

Manchester United have confirmed Bruno Fernandes is the new club captain heading into the 2023/24 season.

Harry Maguire was recently stripped of the captain's armband after falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag - making just eight Premier League starts last season - and has now been replaced in the role by Fernandes.

The Portugal international frequently skippered the Red Devils last season, including leading his side out in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.

A club statement announcing the news reads: 'Bruno Fernandes has been named as the new club captain of Manchester United.

'The Portuguese midfielder has already worn the armband for United on numerous occasions and Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he will now lead the team on a permanent basis.

'Fernandes has scored 64 goals and contributed 54 assists in just 185 games for the club since joining in 2020.

'As captain, the two-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year will continue to drive the highest standards throughout the squad as United push for success in the 2023/24 season and beyond.'

The Portugal international was the obvious choice for the role having worn the armband for a large bulk of the 2022/23 season while Maguire was out of favour. Fernandes will skipper the side for the first time as the permanent club captain in Man Utd's upcoming clash with Arsenal in New Jersey on 22 July.

Maguire revealed manager Erik ten Hag's decision to strip him of the captaincy earlier in July, having been named skipper in 2020 by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss Brighton rejecting Chelsea's bid for Moises Caicedo, Man City closing in on Josko Gvardiol, Harry Maguire's uncertain Man Utd future and more!