Paul Scholes is backing Manchester United vice-captain Bruno Fernandes to learn from his performance during Sunday's 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, but has warned that the club might need to find an alternative option to don the armband.
The Portugal international, who has shouldered the responsibility of being captain in Harry Maguire's absence this season, experienced a difficult afternoon against Jurgen Klopp's side, meaning he came under intense scrutiny from supporters and pundits, including Gary Neville and Roy Keane. As United capitulated in the second half, Fernandes refused to step forward and lead by example, instead wilting as Liverpool added to their tally.
Though he has since been cleared of any wrongdoing, Fernandes attracted criticism for pushing the linesman during the second half and was guilty of going down theatrically after being tapped on the chest by Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate. He was also guilty of throwing his arms around in frustration at his teammates.
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It was a display that Scholes, despite suggesting that the reaction to Fernandes' showing has been blown out of all proportion, believes the attacking midfielder needs to reflect on and find a way to cut certain traits out of his individual game.
Asked if he felt there had been an overreaction to Fernandes' performance at Anfield, Scholes, speaking to BT Sport, said: "Yes, I do. Look, you have to remember that he has been asked to play in positions that he is not comfortable in and I think he has sacrificed himself for the team for that.
"He was clearly frustrated with his teammates and he shows it in a way that I don't think, when he looks back at it, he will be proud of what happened, throwing his arms up in the air and pushing the linesman. I think he will look back at that and learn from that.
"He has also come from a different culture and they do that all the time; in England it is not quite acceptable as much. I think, going forward, he will learn from that and he will try and get rid of those little, annoying things in his game."
With Maguire having struggled for regular opportunities under manager Erik ten Hag this season, Fernandes has sported the captain's armband for much of the campaign, for most of which he has done a sterling job. However, Scholes believes United could be better off selecting a leader, certainly in high-profile fixtures, who is capable of keeping their emotions in check.
"Your captain has to be a calming influence, really," added Scholes. "He almost has to be the one who calms characters down like him.
"I worry about him if Manchester United, in March or April time, are going for a league title, I don't think him as your captain would be ideal. But we know he's only the vice-captain at the minute, we know Harry's not playing.
"Going forward, bigger games, bigger parts of the season, going for trophies and big Champions League finals and stuff, I think a captain who's less emotional might be better."
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