Emile Heskey names Manchester United star as the 'biggest flop of the season'

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Ex-England striker Emile Heskey has named a Manchester United player as the ‘biggest flop of the season’.

The Red Devils have endured another dismal campaign, slipping to 13th in the Premier League table after 20 games.

Few United players have enhanced their reputations this season but Heskey has been most disappointed by club captain Bruno Fernandes.

Heskey admits the Portuguese midfielder played well in last weekend’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool but says he must do more overall.

Fernandes has not been as effective in front of goal as he has been in previous campaigns, scoring six times in 28 appearances this season, and has already received three red cards.

Asked who, in his eyes, has been the biggest flop in the Premier League this season, Heskey told Instant Casino. ‘Bruno Fernandes.

‘In seasons gone by he’s been scoring goals and really carrying the team. With the captain's armband as well, you’re expecting a little bit more.

‘He can’t do it on his own, I get that, but as a captain, I want to see a bit more drive. I want to see a bit more leadership. I don't think he's given that.

‘For a captain, one good performance like he produced against Liverpool in however many is not good enough really.

‘The minimum for any player is to run around, tackle, be aggressive. The captain has to do more, he has to lead from the front and set the standards for others to follow.

‘I don't think he's necessarily been that. It’s been a tough season for them, hasn’t it?

‘I don’t know even where to put my finger on why it's all gone so badly. It’s not just like one bit, everything’s just capitulated.

‘It’ll be interesting to see what the future looks like under Ruben Amorim. They had a really good result against Liverpool and could have won it at the end. But Liverpool squandered a few chances as well.’

While Heskey wants to see more from Fernandes, he has been hugely impressed by fellow Manchester United star Amad Diallo.

Diallo has popped up with some crucial goals in recent weeks, earning United an equaliser at Anfield and scoring a late winner in last month’s Manchester derby.

‘I like Amad Diallo,’ added Heskey, who played for the likes of Liverpool and Leicester City. ‘I like him a lot.

‘In the FA Cup last season, against Liverpool, he was fasting at the time, and he was still one of the best players on the pitch.

‘Inevitably there’s times where a team needs a player to stand up and he’s been that player. I think he has been outstanding for Man United, in a poor side.

‘It will be interesting to see him develop. He looks like the one player in that United team that Ruben Amorim can trust and rely on.

‘He's definitely a player that he will be looking to build around at Manchester United.’

Amorim’s United will look to build on their promising performance against Liverpool this weekend when they face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

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