Bruno Fernandes may never be a leader in the mould of Roy Keane, Paul Ince or Bryan Robson, but legendary Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has explained why the occasionally “petulant” Portuguese remains the best choice to wear the armband at Old Trafford. The Red Devils continue to depend heavily on their “outstanding” and record-breaking playmaker to deliver moments of inspiration.

Fernandes, the PFA Player of the Year, has already written his name into Premier League history.

That has been the story ever since his £47 million ($64m) move from Sporting was completed in January 2020. Fernandes adapted instantly to English football and has not looked back since. He took over the captaincy from Harry Maguire in 2023.

The influential midfielder has now made 328 appearances for United and scored 107 goals in the process. In the 2025-26 campaign, he made history by registering 21 assists in a single Premier League season, moving past Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne at the top of that list. He was then crowned both PFA and FWA Player of the Year.

So, is Fernandes the right man to captain Manchester United?

There is no doubt about Fernandes’ importance to the cause at United, but some elements of his character, including his tendency for on-pitch theatrics, have drawn criticism at times. With that in mind, the question remains whether he is the right figure to lead the Red Devils.

When that was put to Bruce, the man who captained United to three Premier League titles, he told GOAL: “I've been asked this question for so long. Who else would you give it to?

“You can't go back into my day. I mean, in the team I played in, you could put Mark Hughes in there as well, I could put Roy, Robbo, how many? He's been the outstanding player and what he won last night, the Players' Player of the Year, just shows you what professionals think of him too.

“I didn't realise until I just heard that he's 32 next birthday [on September 8]. He's been quite exceptional for Man U over the last five years. His numbers are there for everybody to see.

“Look, he plays with everything he's got. Of course, there's a bit of petulance now and again, but the kid's an outstanding footballer and he produces on the biggest stage of all in a team that has been struggling for a while. This kid has been, in my opinion, the outstanding player for Man U for the last four or five years.”

Next captain: who could take over the armband from Fernandes?

Although Fernandes is set to continue leading the side for the time being, there will eventually come a moment when he says his final goodbye to the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’. At that point, United will need to identify a new skipper.

Another former title-winning Red Devils player, Lee Sharpe, recently told GOAL when asked who could follow in those famous footsteps: “Captains? I think Harry Maguire has done the job pretty well in previous times. I'm sure you can count on him. [Lisandro] Martinez at the back, I think he's probably captain material.

“I think if he can stay fit and play the way he has done previous seasons, Mason Mount, with his experience, would always be in with a shout. I think he would not necessarily rule by fear, but rule by example. I think there's a few there.

“I don't know if Kobbie's [Mainoo] a big talker in and around the dressing room, but there's certainly a few. I don't know, maybe if Bruno did leave in the next couple of seasons, then someone may come in that will look to be captain as well.”

For the moment, United are more focused on securing Fernandes on a new contract. His present deal, which contains the option of a 12-month extension, is set to run until the summer of 2027.

Michael Owen is among those who have told GOAL that the Red Devils must “break the rules” to keep their captain at the club, with it a frightening thought — especially after a disappointing start to the new season following a shock defeat at Hull City — where the Premier League giants would be without him.