Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey criticised Bruno Fernandes' captaincy after Manchester United's 4-1 defeat in Como, where TEAMtalk said Fernandes publicly called out Michael Carrick's tactics.
Heskey's view on the captaincy
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Heskey said: "I’m not overly sure Bruno Fernandes is a captain in the traditional sense; he’s probably a vice-captain."
Heskey on Fernandes' focus
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Heskey said: "In my opinion, Bruno needs to concentrate more on his football rather than being the captain."
Reaction to the Como defeat
TEAMtalk said Fernandes publicly called out the tactics deployed by Michael Carrick after the 4-1 defeat in Como. TEAMtalk said many in the media have insisted Fernandes should have voiced those grievances in-house rather than in public, at a time when Carrick was and still is under intense pressure and scrutiny.
Heskey on player responsibility
When asked whether Fernandes' post-Como outburst was justified, Heskey said: "You can’t just keep looking over at your manager saying, “Oh, he said don’t do this.” You might have to challenge your manager and say, “We can’t do this, we’ve got to go and press.” You’re on the pitch and you have to take ownership, especially as a captain."
Heskey added: "It’s too easy, especially at the top end, to keep blaming the manager. On the pitch, the 11 players can change stuff because what the manager sees from the sideline is totally different from the reality on the pitch."
