Chris Sutton believes Bruno Fernandes should not captain Manchester United again after their humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
The Portuguese, who fills in for club captain Harry Maguire, was chastised for his on-field behavior and attitude.
“There are far more qualified people to be captain,” Sutton said.
“Fernandes is not the best leader they have. There are better candidates than him, Casemiro being one of them.”
Former Premier League striker Sutton, who suggested Raphael Varane as another option on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, added: “I think he should never put on the armband for Manchester United again.”
Fernandes, 28, has 57 goals and 50 assists in 166 games for the club in all competitions, but his body language at Anfield was described as “disgraceful” by former United captain Roy Keane, and “embarrassing at times” by another former skipper Gary Neville.
In the 81st minute, he appeared to push the referee’s assistant. The referee took no action at the time, and the Football Association is not investigating the incident.
He was also told by BBC Sport that he did not request to be substituted near the end of the game, after questions were raised about a gesture he made to the bench.
When Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic went past him near the touchline, Fernandes stopped rather than pursuing the midfielder.
“That was a standout moment yesterday,” Sutton added.
“No matter how bad United were, you can’t just let someone run away and give up. That’s what Manchester United’s captain did, and it’s a bad look.
“I don’t think he has any real arguments if he loses his captaincy,” he added. “I believe Bruno’s days are numbered.”
Manchester United had just won the Carabao Cup, their first trophy since Erik Ten Hag took over as manager in May.