Emmanuel Petit urges Man Utd to make Kobbie Mainoo captain to replace ‘diva’

Kobbie Mainoo has been tipped for the Man Utd captaincy (Picture: Getty)

Emmanuel Petit has named three key reasons why Kobbie Mainoo should replace Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United’s captain at the age of just 19.

Fernandes was named United’s captain in July 2023, as he took over from Harry Maguire, but the Portugal international has faced criticism since taking the role.

Former Premier League star and current football pundit Petit feels Fernandes is a ‘diva’ and has outlined why he thinks United should hand the armband to Mainoo.

The first reason is that it would send a statement to United’s more senior underperforming players and could lead to them raising their own levels.

The second reason is that Mainoo is English – and is now establishing himself on the international stage with the Three Lions – with 10 caps under his belt to date.

The third and final reason Petit gave is that Mainoo is the ‘pride of the fans’ given that he came through United’s youth academy.

‘I’m looking at the squad and I can’t see any leaders,’ Petit told topoffshoresportsbooks.com. ‘United’s best players have been the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobie Mainoo.

‘It would be a bold move, but If I’m Ten Hag, maybe I would make a strong decision and appoint the future of the club (Mainoo) as my captain.

‘Mainoo is young, but he’s English. He’s establishing himself in the national team. He’s the pride of the fans at Old Trafford.

‘Maybe Erik ten Hag needs to make a statement to his underperforming players and fight that says I’m ready to fight with those who are ready to fight with me.’

Bruno Fernandes has faced criticism since becoming Man Utd captain (Picture: Getty)

Quizzed about Fernandes, Petit added: ‘For me, [he] is a player that highlights the problems at Manchester United. He’s a good player, but most of the time, I don’t like the way he behaves on the pitch.

‘He acts like a diva. He doesn’t help or encourage his teammates when the chips are down. When Manchester United are suffering, he’s always crying; always showing his disappointment.

‘That is not what you expect from your captain. You’re expecting more encouragement, leadership. Someone that brings positivity.

‘When you’ve got a guy like Bruno at the top of your club, a player that is supposed to be the leader of the club on and off the pitch, and he acts the way that he does, that is going to have a knock-on effect on players that can’t be good.’