Eagle-eyed fans spot true captaincy moment from Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes during hostile Galatasaray clash
BRUNO FERNANDES gave fans a glimpse as to why he is Manchester United captain during their crazy Champions League draw with Galatasaray.
The Red Devils skipper has come in for some intense criticism from club legends including Roy Keane this season.
But he was a cool head in the fiery Turkish atmosphere as he calmed down young team-mate Alejandro Garnacho.
United are playing in a hostile atmosphere in Istanbul and home fans tried to intimidate their opponents as they held up a banner that read “Welcome to Hell” before kick-off.
Garnacho silenced the crowd with his goal after just 11 minutes.
And after doing so he purposely ran to home fans in celebration, with a shush gesture.
Fernandes was clearly wary not to wind-up the hosts and pushed his team-mate away.
Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera had reacted furiously and sprinted out to confront Garnacho in a heated exchange with Garnacho.
And it was the often hot-header Fernandes who played peacekeeper as he later chatted to the referee and promised to keep his team-mates calm.
Fernandes continued to show leadership as he netted United’s second of the game with a brilliant long range effort to make it 2-0.
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The passionate Portuguese midfielder then ended up costing his team as he charged back to defend, giving away a free-kick on the edge of the box in desperation.
Hakim Ziyech converted to make it 2-1 as the players then went in for half-time.
The match finished 3-3 as United chaotically collapsed in the Instabul cauldron.
Manager Erik ten Hag loves his skipper, saying after he handed Marcus Rashford penalty-taking duty against Everton: “You see also how great captain Bruno is.
“He assessed his team-mate needed that goal. He has the confidence in Rashy, who is a good penalty taker.
“As a team you need that leadership that you back each other.”
But Fernandes has received plenty of criticism since taking the armband from Harry Maguire.
Roy Keane said giving Rashford the spot-kick was “embarrassing” and he previously revealed he wants him stripped of the captaincy.
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