“He might be relatively new to the team but he has been vital ever since he joined. He has been the most important player this season despite the flaws. He’s going to be a better leader than Fernandes” – According to Rio Ferdinand, Rather than Fernandes, Manchester United’s “most vital player” who was also a Balon D’or nominee should now take on the role of captain.

Manchester United have faced a challenging few weeks, with Erik ten Hag’s team experiencing some humiliating results along the way.

The Red Devils haven’t won any of their last four matches across all competitions, recording one loss and three draws.

While this streak might not appear as disastrous as some have suggested, the club has squandered leads in both the FC Twente and Porto matches in the Europa League, resulting in missed victories.

The loss to Tottenham Hotspur was a significant setback for Erik ten Hag’s team, as they were thoroughly outplayed by Ange Postecoglou’s side at Old Trafford, marking their third league defeat of the 2024/25 season.

One player, in particular, stood out for his disappointing performance during this match, as well as delivering an equally subpar display in the Europa League earlier this week.

Bruno Fernandes’ statistics against Porto show that after his red card against Spurs last weekend, the midfielder entered the match in his home country eager to prove himself and atone for his dismissal at Old Trafford.

Although his red card was overturned following a review by the Premier League panel, it likely lingered in his mind during the Europa League match.

In what was supposed to be a chance for redemption, Fernandes struggled to make a positive impact for Ten Hag’s team, frequently appearing awkward and careless with the ball.

The 30-year-old recorded 67 touches during the match, losing six duels and conceding possession ten times, failing to influence the game in favor of the Red Devils.

His frustration grew towards the end when he received a second yellow card for a high boot, resulting in his second red card in as many matches.

It’s clear that his recent performances do not reflect the qualities expected of a club captain, raising doubts about his leadership role and opening the door for another player to take over in the near future.

The player who might succeed Fernandes as United’s captain is Andre Onana, who faced a challenging start at Old Trafford, leading some to question the £47 million investment made for him last summer.

Pundit Chris Sutton was one of the critics of the former Inter Milan star last autumn, claiming that he was a “downgrade” compared to his predecessor, David De Gea. The goalkeeper himself acknowledged that it took him six months to “feel good” in Manchester.

Nevertheless, he has quickly turned his situation around this season, showcasing several impressive performances, including a remarkable penalty save against Southampton and a stunning double save against Crystal Palace that earned Ten Hag’s side a crucial point.

While the defense has not met the required standards this season, Andre Onana possesses the “leadership” qualities and “presence” necessary to guide the club through its current challenging period, as noted by pundit Shaka Hislop.

His impressive performances have led Statman Dave to label him as United’s “most important player” this season, with his contributions saving the team on numerous occasions.

**Andre Onana’s PL stats for Manchester United (2024/25)**
– **Games played:** 6
– **Saves:** 18
– **Goals prevented:** 2.9
– **Clean sheets:** 3
– **Penalties saved:** 1
– **Pass accuracy:** 81%
– **Errors leading to goals:** 0

Given Bruno Fernandes’ recent lack of leadership due to his consecutive red cards, his role as captain is certainly under scrutiny. His reckless behavior in specific situations has hindered the club’s efforts to escape its current slump.

Onana would be a strong candidate to take over the captaincy, demonstrating the qualities that the Portuguese international currently lacks. This change could not only provide Onana with a confidence boost but also help improve the performance of the defense.