Former Man Utd defender claims ‘frustrating’ Red Devils star is not the leader Ten Hag needs

Former Man Utd defender Paul Parker claims Bruno Fernandes is not “disciplined” enough to be a good leader for Erik ten Hag.

Fernandes has failed to reach the heights of the 2020/21 season – in which he scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists in the Premier League – this term with the Portugal international managing to contribute five goals and six assists.

The 28-year-old has been criticised on a number of occasions by former players for the way he gesticulates to his team-mates, opponents and officials.

And Parker doesn’t see the Man Utd midfielder as leadership material with the former left-back insisting he finds Fernandes a “very frustrating player”.

Parker told talkSPORT: “I’ve always said about Fernandes. There are moments when you say to yourself, wow! But I think there are a lot more moments when you put your hands to your head and kind of everything closes down because he’s a very frustrating player.

“I think there are reasons why. This is the first time really in his career that he’s been in a club like Manchester United.

“When you look at the talent he has got, there is a reason why. And it eludes more to the fact that when [Ten Hag] looks for that leadership, and looking for someone to be disciplined, someone to look at and for people to go, ‘wow, I want to be like him, I’m going to follow on from him’. [Fernandes] is not that player most of the time.

“People throw up his stats but sometimes you’ve got to watch 90 minutes and judge someone.”

Gary Neville and Roy Keane have been two of the most outspoken players on Fernandes for his body language in their earlier this year.

And Fernandes responded to them yesterday, he said: “I kind of understand behind that but I can’t control that. We all know pundits have to say something to keep their work.

“The more bad things they say, the more work they get, sometimes. We all have to live with that but for me, it’s about my team-mates being okay with that. Whenever they are not, I would like them to tell me so I can calm myself down.

“Most of the things that were said after that game were complete lies. Because I waved my arms, they [assumed] that I said something that I didn’t say.

“The pundits always want to say something to get attention and credit from the people outside. Sometimes they say something to say.”