Chelsea icon Joe Cole is backing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
Speaking to TNT Sports via The Mirror as quoted by Manchester Evening News, Chelsea icon Joe Cole is upset with the way Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and last season’s top scorer for our club Marcus Rashford are performing this season.
However, he still believes that they are capable enough to revive their form and return to their best. It’s extremely important to maintain consistency when someone is playing for a club like United.
Speaking on the issue, Cole said:
“Rashford and Fernandes are both world class players. They’re outstanding footballers but they’re in a system that’s not allowing them to express their creative abilities. Rashford is the face of Manchester United and Bruno is the captain but I wouldn’t want my creative players to be the main leaders.”
Due to an injury, Rashford was unable to participate in the thrilling stoppage-time winner by Fernandes during the late 1-0 victory over Fulham, despite travelling to west London with the team.
Cole also contends that in recent weeks, the obligations that come with being a senior dressing-room figure have severely damaged the confidence of Rashford and Fernandes. To lessen the pressure on Fernandes, he believed Erik ten Hag ought to have named Raphael Varane as club captain before the start of the new campaign. Clearly, the Portuguese ace could have done with less pressure.
Even after the thrilling 1-0 victory against Fulham last weekend, a defeat in Denmark against FC Copenhagen would give United a mountain to climb in their quest for knockout qualification in the UEFA Champions League. Before Bayern Munich visits in mid-December, the Red Devils still have to go to Istanbul to play Galatasaray in one of the most unpredictable environments in Europe.
Cole asserts that despite the unrest, it is impossible to wager against Manchester United in Europe because, even at their best, they are still capable of inflicting harm on opponents which is historically accurate.
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Cole does have a point, though, since many have also argued that Fernandes lacks the qualities necessary to be a reliable captain. For reasons unrelated to the field, Rashford also struggles under duress. Hopefully, both players will rediscover their form soon and help us salvage the 2023-24 campaign.