How quickly things change in football
Only a matter of days ago, rumours swirled that all was not well between Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal international was substituted at half-time of United’s 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham earlier this month, and was followed by reports that he had reservations about his manager’s ability to lead United forward.
If there was any grain of truth to the reports, Solskjaer appears to hold no grudges.
Ahead of United’s return to Champions League action against Paris Saint-Germain this week, the Norwegian has named Fernandes as captain for the game after it was announced Harry Maguire would be absent for the visit to the French capital.
Fernandes appeared alongside his manager for the pre-match press conference and, judging by his reaction, appeared to have been caught by surprise as Solskjaer informed the reporters in attendance that he would be wearing the armband.
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As well as Maguire, United travel to Paris without Eric Bailly, Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani, who misses the chance to play against his old team.
Fernandes has been United’s stand-out player since arriving from Sporting Lisbon last January, sparking the club’s surge to a top four finish.
After missing his first penalty during the win at St James’ Park on Saturday, he rounded off a brilliant team move to help United to a 4-1 victory over Newcastle.
Maguire’s form has been under the spotlight in the early weeks of the season after errors for both club and country. Who replaces him in the United defence remains to be seen, with Eric Bailly also missing through injury and Axel Tuanzebe short on match-fitness due to his own injury issues.
With PSG expected to name Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in their attack, it already promises to be stern test for United’s backline.
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to the French capital, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also confirmed new signing Edinson Cavani will miss the chance to play against his former club, while Mason Greenwood also remains unavailable due to an unspecified injury of his own.
PSG duo Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes will also miss the game for the French champions.
