“I try to be myself,” says Bruno Fernandes about his new role at Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes has admitted that he is enjoying his position as the captain of the Manchester United locker room and that he is looking forward to mentoring the team’s young players.

In Harry Maguire’s absence at centre back, the Portugal international has frequently sported the captain’s armband after establishing himself as a natural leader in the eyes of new manager Erik ten Hag.

“I try to be myself,” Fernandes told The Athletic of his new role. “It’s the way I am – I know that if some people see me talking to my team-mates or giving information to them, some of them like it, others less. I just try to help make the things better for the team.

“It’s something that comes naturally to me. It’s not something that I try and do in training. Even in normal life I try to help people. My mum and my dad made me understand that if you can help the next person, do it. If that means speaking then I speak.”

Working with the crop of young players developing at Old Trafford has been a part of Fernandes’ role as a team leader, a position the Portugal midfielder has thoroughly enjoyed.

“Lead by example,” he said of his main ambitions with the young players. “Do everything that the coach asks you, do everything that is asked of you in every training session.

“I try to pass confidence to young players, it doesn’t matter how old they are. I also want them to feel part of the family at Manchester United. It’s not just about the first team. And I remember being a young player too and wanting support from older players.”