Rio Ferdinand lauds Bruno Fernandes and mocks Unai Emery after Man Utd win

The victory was crucial for Erik ten Hag’s team as they look to secure a top-four finish and qualify for next season’s Champions League, with United now seven points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Emery, are chasing European qualification themselves and the Red Devils’ win over them was no easy task.

Fernandes scored the only goal of the game and former United defender Ferdinand would like to see the Portuguese midfielder handed the captaincy.

The 28-year-old has worn the armband for large spells of the season with captain Harry Maguire losing his starting place to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

‘We stopped their 10-game unbeaten run,’ Ferdinand said about United’s win over Villa on his FIVE Podcast.

‘Unai Emery was producing miracles, and who steps up to stop him? Bruno. Sit back down, Unai. Have a reality check and know your place.’

Speaking more about vice-captain Fernandes, Ferdinand added: ‘We deserved to win the game. Did you see Bruno’s numbers? Wow.

‘The guy… it’s remarkable what he is doing. If he was at Arsenal he’d probably have a statue now at the Emirates with the numbers he has done!

‘Does Bruno take the captaincy next year? 100 per cent, I think he does. Since Bruno signed [for Man Utd] he has been the most impactful player we have had.

‘He’s wearing the armband while Maguire doesn’t play. I think it is natural progression for him to be captain next season.’

Fernandes has registered 61 goals and 53 assists across 178 games for United since he joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.

He is the most likely player to be handed the United armband next term with Nigel Winterburn predicting that Maguire will be stripped of the captaincy.

MORE : Sir Jim Ratcliffe includes transfer stipulation in latest offer to buy Man Utd

MORE : Manchester United star confirms he’s close to making long-awaited comeback