Bruno Fernandes opens up on Man United career – ESPN | OneFootball

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes admits he “wanted to have won more” during his six years at Old Trafford, but says he still dreams of returning the Red Devils to the summit of European football.

Best Player in England

Despite United’s chaotic season, which saw Michael Carrick replace Ruben Amorim at the halfway mark in January, Fernandes has enjoyed his best campaign in a red shirt.

The Portugal international finished with nine goals and 21 assists in 35 Premier League appearances, breaking the assist record and winning Player of the Year, as he almost single-handedly propelled his side towards Champions League qualification.

What makes this even more impressive is that he spent the first half of the season playing almost as a No.6 in Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-2-1 system, racking up seven assists. When he returned to his rightful No.10 position, 14 assists in 18 games followed.

But Fernandes never allowed his head to drop nor his commitment to the team to waiver in this unfamiliar setting. He ranked amongst the hardest-working midfielders in the league under Amorim, and has been supportive of his compatriot following the dismissal in January.

Carrick’s appointment had a galvanising effect on United, with 12 wins, three draws and just two losses in 16 matches under the interim coach – the best form of any side in the Premier League, and sufficient for the Wallsend native to be given the job permanently.

“I think he brought a very positive energy to the team, he tried to be very positive, because obviously we were in a moment of coaching transition, which is always a difficult time for the team,” Fernandes explains when asked by ESPN about Carrick.

“He tried to be positive, obviously he brought new ideas and a different way of playing, which was also important for some players to find an escape to be protagonists again. And it’s been good, obviously, because the results demonstrate that too. We hope that we will continue to do so.”

“My goal has always been…”

Fernandes’s trophy haul as a United player – an FA Cup and a Carabao Cup – is not commensurate with his quality as a footballer, something he recognises himself.

“Obviously, I wanted to have won more, it wasn’t quite what I had expected for myself and for the club. But I had very good times. We managed to reach some finals, some of them we won, others we didn’t.”

The talisman, who is locked in talks with the club over a new deal, still has a “dream” of winning the “biggest competitions” with United: “My goal has always been to win the biggest competitions and the Premier League is part of it. And I still have that dream in me and I hope to achieve it.”

“Of course, being in the Champions League, it’s the most important competition, let’s say, the competition where you can play against the most important teams in the world, in Europe. And it’s something that I want to do and I want to be at that level to play against the best and show that I can be at their level.”

Final Thoughts

Despite Fernandes fast approaching his 32nd birthday, he shows no signs of succumbing to the will of Father Time. His energy and enthusiasm are unrelenting, as is his work-rate off the ball, while his quality on it remains peerless in England. A hamstring injury over Christmas – which ultimately cost Amorim his job – was overcome with freakish speed.

In short, the team’s captain and the beating heart of the club is not slowing down anytime soon; he has a dream to achieve at the appropriately named Theatre he calls home. If his teammates can come even close to matching their leader’s level, the trophy cabinet at Old Trafford will quickly need extending.

Featured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Images

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