Bruno Fernandes Urges Manchester United to Rise Back to the Top After Trophyless Season
Bruno Fernandes Sends Clear Message: Manchester United Can't Settle for Mediocrity
Manchester United's season ended with empty hands and a heavy sense of missed opportunity. Midfield dynamo Bruno Fernandes didn’t pull any punches in his assessment, making it clear that standards at Old Trafford must be much higher—for everyone from the players to the coaching staff.
Just months ago, fans were hoping United might turn a corner under Erik ten Hag. Instead, a limp attack and patchy defense torpedoed those hopes. Losing 1-0 in the Europa League final against Tottenham capped off a year that saw the team not only finish without a trophy but also fail to qualify for the Champions League. That’s a far cry from the glory days United fans still dream about.
Fernandes, now one of United’s most outspoken voices in the dressing room, was blunt about the squad’s shortcomings. “We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask if we’re really giving everything for this badge,” he said. “It can't be just about showing up or talking about history. If we really want to be the club we say we are, it starts with each one of us.”
He wasn’t just playing the blame game, though. Fernandes stressed the importance of team unity and self-evaluation instead of pointing fingers. He pushed his teammates to go beyond talk, to back up ambition with actual effort—on the pitch, in training, and with their mindset.
Backing Ten Hag and Demanding More from the Squad
Even with a tough season behind them, Fernandes continues to voice strong faith in Erik ten Hag. While Manchester’s football rumor mill is often quick to search for scapegoats, Fernandes insists their manager remains the right man for the job. "He’s shown he has a vision, he wants to change things, but we as players have got to deliver and stick together," said Fernandes.
Offensively, United have struggled. There have been too few goals, not enough shots on target, and an absence of the old relentless attacking verve that haunted their opponents in the past. Fernandes called this out specifically—draws and narrow defeats are often the result of lacking sharpness up front. “You can’t compete at the top of the Premier League or in Europe if you don’t threaten teams enough,” he admitted.
On the defensive side, the cracks have been just as clear. Fernandes wants to see tighter organization, a bit more 'nastiness' when needed, and a commitment to protecting leads. He believes these incremental tweaks could unlock much better results next season.
Personally, Fernandes remains determined to leave his own mark at United. He sees it as part of his job to keep spirits high and demand more. “You want people to remember what you did, not just that you played here. That legacy—it's what drives me.”
For fans, the message is clear: Manchester United isn’t going to accept anything less than fighting for every trophy and returning to Europe’s top table. The hard questions are being asked—and only real answers, shown on the pitch, will do.