RATHER than have two plane loads of United players travel to the United States, the internationals in Carrington flew to Edinburgh and waited on the runway for their teammates who had just played against Lyon at Murrayfield on Wednesday afternoon.
There was a captain in the cockpit but not in the United squad. Harry Maguire had been stripped of the armband and Erik ten Hag had not appointed his replacement yet.
At a team meeting on Thursday morning, Ten Hag assembled the entire United squad and let out the worst-kept secret: Bruno Fernandes was the new official captain.
When Fernandes first skippered United against Paris Saint-Germain in October 2020, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cheerfully announced it at a pre-match press conference and Fernandes, sat next to his manager, was visibly surprised. The only surprise on this occasion would have been if the captaincy went to someone other than Fernandes.
"He spoke in front of the whole group," Fernandes says on the running track of the Temares Family Stadium at Pingry School in New Jersey ahead of a morning training session. "He wanted do it in front of everyone. Everyone knew already about the situation with H but no one knew who would be the next captain. So he did it in a team meeting with everyone together because it's something we have to do more often, to keep the things inside and give the compliments inside to ourselves."
Maguire has handled his demotion professionally and was magnanimous. "He (Maguire) gave me congratulations and he said he is really happy for me," Fernandes explains.
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 23, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 23, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Bethell relishing Old Trafford T20 decider
JACOB Bethell was pleased to get down to business for England after admitting he struggled to shut out the external noise during a low-key international debut.
Is this turning point that boss so badly needs?
Victory buys Ten Hag breathing space, but now United must capitalise on it
Food for thought for the Insta diners
Why we need to disconnect from our phones for the best eating out experience
'It would normally be packed but now! it's a GHOST TOWN'
Traders warn they won't survive the loss of spaces after water company closed car park
Man used trafficked woman to make more than £100k
A MAN profited from the exploitation of a vulnerable woman to the tune of more than £100,000.
'You imagine there would be a lot of barking but it was silent?
The devastating Manchester Dogs Home fire ten years on
Couple's home hit by car for THIRD time
Pair forced to evacuate property
Shopkeeper faces £20k costs to undo changes he made
Business owner was refused permission for work already done
Disorder'more anti-government than racism'
Barrister makes claim as thug who attacked bus during trouble outside hotel housing asylum seekers jailed
'There's no characters left'
Traders and customers' sadness as shutters come down on market for final time
