Ruben Amorim urged to strip 'childish' Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd captaincy

Fernandes has had a topsy-turvy start to the 2025-26 campaign. In United's gameweek two Premier League clash against Fulham, the captain skied a penalty in the first half, which proved costly for his side as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Cottagers. The Portuguese midfielder was then powerless to prevent United from falling to an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby in the Carabao Cup. However, Fernandes went into the international break on a high by scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 triumph over Burnley to get United up and running in the league.

Fernandes blamed Chris Kavanagh for his missed penalty against Fulham after the referee accidentally bumped into him during his run-up routine. Aldridge is among those who feel the Portugal international's attitude is not becoming of a true captain, and has even gone so far as to call him "childish". The 66-year-old believes United would be a stronger team if they bought in a new leader.

Speaking to BetWright, the ex-Reds star said: "Manchester United would be a better team without Bruno Fernandes as the captain. When you have a club captain with an attitude like Fernandes, especially considering the previous leaders at the club that have been and gone, it’s slanderous to such a great football club. He’s very impetuous and childish; I can’t believe he’s never been sent off! If I was a referee, I’d book him every time he moaned or whinged. 

"While the rivalry between Liverpool and Man United has always been fierce, I knew a lot of United players that conducted themselves excellently on the pitch. The way Fernandes conducts himself epitomises the club’s performance in the last few years. If United brought in a proper leader to replace him, they’d improve as a team, without a doubt."

Fernandes rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal this summer, with United having no intention of losing their talisman. However, the midfielder could change his stance on his future at Old Trafford as he is reportedly ready for a switch to MLS or Saudi Arabia at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.