Sport
“The Captain Has to Do More” – Heskey Criticizes Leadership at Manchester United
Emile Heskey, the former Liverpool striker, has criticized Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, labeling him the flop of the season.
The ex-England international pointed out that the Portuguese midfielder, who currently wears the captain’s armband, has failed to deliver the level of leadership expected of him.
In an interview with Instant Casino, Heskey said, “Bruno Fernandes, in past seasons, has been a key player, consistently scoring goals and driving the team forward.
However, this season, as captain, I expected a lot more from him.
I want to see him take charge on the field, show more leadership, and set a stronger example for the team.”
Heskey’s criticism is centered around Fernandes’ lack of consistency, especially given his role as the club’s captain.
He emphasized that a good captain should lead by example, showing energy, aggression, and a willingness to fight for the team’s success.
“So far this season, one good performance against Liverpool is not enough.
For a player in Fernandes’ position, the bare minimum should be running hard, tackling, and showing aggression.
The captain should be the one who sets the tone for others to follow, but I don’t think he’s done that this season,” Heskey continued.
Barcelona is reportedly weighing up the possibility of cutting short Marcus Rashford’s loan spell just weeks after bringing him in from Manchester United, according to El Nacional.
Rashford, who made the switch to Spain in July after falling out of favour at Old Trafford, has found life at Camp Nou difficult to adapt to. The England international had already been sidelined from first-team training at United alongside Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia before sealing the move.
However, his early days in LaLiga have not gone as hoped. Barca chiefs are said to be unimpressed with his form and are now considering sending him back to Manchester. Rashford has featured in their opening three league matches but was hauled off at halftime in the clash against Levante, where Barcelona trailed 2-0 before pulling off a stunning 3-2 comeback.
Rashford was expected to inject fresh energy into Barcelona’s attack, but the pressure is already mounting as the club questions whether the loan was the right call.
Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle has made a bold call ahead of today’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, leaving out skipper William Troost-Ekong from the starting lineup.
Youngster Benjamin Fredericks will line up alongside Calvin Bassey in the heart of defence, with Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi taking up the full-back positions.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi is set to wear the armband and anchor the team, working alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi. Up front, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will spearhead the attack, flanked by Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman on the wings. The clash started at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo by 5:00 pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has heaped praise on Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, calling him the best player in Africa as the team prepares for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo. Chelle defended his decision to bring Lookman into the squad despite his lack of recent game time, stressing that the Atalanta star’s quality and influence cannot be overlooked.
“Talking about Lookman, honestly, how do you make a squad list without the best player in Africa?” Chelle told reporters at his pre-match briefing. “It’s my responsibility to decide how much he can play, whether it’s five minutes or sixty. But leaving him out isn’t an option. I have full confidence in him.”
Lookman, who was crowned African Footballer of the Year and came close to a move to Inter Milan during the summer, has not featured for club or country since May 25. He had been working on his own fitness before linking up with the Super Eagles in camp. Nigeria will be counting on his spark and experience as they face Rwanda in a match that could decide their World Cup hopes.
