Bruno Fernandes may be the one wearing the captain's armband for Manchester United, but he sure as hell isn't the main man leading that team. Nah, that title belongs to Matthis de Ligt, according to former Red Devils defender Paul Parker.
De Ligt's the one with the cojones
Parker was full of praise for the Dutch defender, highlighting his consistency as the reason why he stands out. "I see it in his face, I see it in his manner. I see he leads by example. You can see the way he demands certain things," said Parker. "He's a reader of the game. He senses danger. How many challenges does he make covering teammates?"
De Ligt's journey at United hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows since his £40 million move last August. He initially struggled to adapt to the Premier League, but under current boss Ruben Amorim, the Dutchman has proven his worth.
Fernandes ain't no leader
While Parker was singing De Ligt's praises, he wasn't so kind when it came to Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder was named United's skipper in July 2023, but his time with the armband has coincided with United's poor performances, finishing eighth and 15th in the league.
When asked if Fernandes was a leader, Parker didn't hold back. "No, not at all. The easy thing to come out and say, because people keep using these words over the seasons, is that his numbers are good. Numbers are great, but you watch a player for 90 minutes then you judge them on watching what they actually do."
Parker believes Fernandes is only captain because he's seen as United's best player, but it's De Ligt who's the real focal point of the team. "He's willing to organise players around him. So that's my take on Manchester United and who I think is the focal point of that team. It's someone who leads by example first."
