Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes calls out Harry Maguire and six more team-mates

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has called out ex-skipper Harry Maguire and six other Red Devils team-mates as the north west giants prepare for the new campaign. United are currently in the USA on a pre-season tour and are set to go head-to-head with Real Madrid on Thursday night.

Fernandes began by speaking about new signing Mason Mount as he told reporters: “He has a point to prove like everyone else.” And the Portugal star then turned his attentions to Maguire and other United players. “I have a point to prove – so does Licha [Martinez], Casemiro, Rapha [Varane], Andre [Onana], Harry, Victor [Lindelof]. It’s not about him (Mount). He doesn’t have to prove anything more than anyone else.”

While Mount may appear to be the future of United, Maguire has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford since Erik ten Hag’s appointment last summer. The 30-year-old started just eight Premier League matches during the last campaign and is surplus to requirements in Manchester, with West Ham interested in snapping him up.

Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy earlier this month as Ten Hag readies his players to compete for silverware on all fronts this season. And after the decision was announced the defender tweeted: “After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain.

“He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt. So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.”

Fernandes, meanwhile, has been tasked with galvanising his team-mates on and off the pitch as United look to build on Ten Hag’s promising maiden season in charge. And as the attacking midfielder discussed Mount once again, he added: “I said this a couple of years ago, that he’s one of the best players in the Premier League at the time and I hope he can do it again because I think he’s a really good player.

“He’s still really young and he has a long way to go. We’re really happy to have him here, wherever he plays – as a No 10 or No 8 or on the wing. We can both do that. The most important thing is that we help the team succeed. He’s really good on pressing, he has a lot of energy and he’s really good on the ball.

“He has goals and assists in him too. He can create chances, so we are expecting a lot from him – but he’s aware of that. He’s at a big club and he knows the expectations on him will be big.”