Peter Crouch suggests Sunderland have a player who Man United desperately need to do Bruno Fernandes’ job

Manchester United’s Struggles Deepen as Bruno Fernandes Misses Crucial Penalty – Peter Crouch Suggests Xhaka as Ideal Replacement

Manchester United’s season continues to unravel following yet another Premier League defeat, with captain Bruno Fernandes once again at the center of their latest disappointment.

The Portuguese midfielder had a golden chance to spark a comeback against Brentford last weekend when United were awarded a penalty.

However, Fernandes failed to convert, squandering the opportunity to overturn a two-goal deficit. Brentford later sealed the 3-1 victory in stoppage time with a stunning strike from Matthias Jensen.

The miss has only intensified the pressure on United boss Rúben Amorim, who has endured a sluggish start to life at Old Trafford. Critics are now questioning not just the team’s performance, but also Fernandes’ leadership credentials.

Premier League icon Peter Crouch weighed in, suggesting Amorim could benefit from bringing in a proven leader – specifically, Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka – to fill the leadership void at United.

Crouch Backs Xhaka to Bring Leadership to United

While Manchester United have struggled for cohesion, commitment, and leadership, newly-promoted Sunderland have shown the opposite.

The Black Cats have lost just once in their first six Premier League games, defying expectations with a mix of smart signings and strong team spirit.

A key part of their impressive form has been former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka, who joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a surprising summer move.

Despite Sunderland’s relatively youthful squad, Xhaka’s experience and leadership have proven invaluable, helping them climb the table.

Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch praised the Swiss international and argued he could be exactly what United are missing.

“There’s not enough leadership at United,” Crouch said. “Maybe Maguire says something. Maybe Bruno does, but it’s not enough. Look at Xhaka at Sunderland – he’s clearly a leader. I thought Sunderland might survive this season, and signings like his are why.”

His co-host, Steve Sidwell, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the lack of player-driven accountability at Old Trafford.

“I don’t see anyone in that dressing room willing to step up and rally the team,” Sidwell said. “Even behind closed doors, I don’t think they have that voice to say, ‘Lads, we’ve got to dig deep.’”

Xhaka Enjoying Life at Sunderland

Xhaka, meanwhile, seems to be thriving in his new surroundings. Following Sunderland’s recent 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, which lifted them to fifth in the table, the Swiss midfielder spoke about his satisfaction with the project at the Stadium of Light.

“What brought me here was the vision,” he told Sky Sports. “They wanted my experience and leadership, and I’m trying to show the younger players how to be professional at this level.

They make it easy for me – the work rate, the mentality, it’s incredible. I’m just happy to be part of it.”

Potential Showdown at Old Trafford

As Sunderland soar and United stumble, their upcoming clash at Old Trafford could starkly expose the gulf in leadership between the two clubs.

Should the Black Cats come away with a result, it may prompt further questions about United’s captaincy and whether a player like Xhaka could be the solution to their deepening crisis.