In a week filled with big changes at Old Trafford, one familiar name rose to the occasion to keep Manchester United’s hopes of silverware alive Bruno Fernandes. With his second-ever hat-trick for the club, Fernandes reminded everyone why he remains the driving force behind United’s push for Champions League football next season.
Fernandes, who has now netted 15 goals this season, delivered a performance that showcased not only his quality but his unwavering desire to bring United back to winning ways. His contributions this season have been crucial, with several of his goals turning defeats into draws and draws into victories.
The Portuguese playmaker was one of the few United players to come out with credit during a challenging week for the club, which saw co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticize some of his teammates as “not good enough” and “overpaid.” Ratcliffe, however, had high praise for Fernandes, calling him a “fabulous footballer” and stressing how tough life at United would be without him.
While Fernandes has become the backbone of the team, he’s also been at the center of recent criticism, particularly from former captain Roy Keane. Keane questioned Fernandes’ leadership qualities, citing his disciplinary issues he’s been sent off three times this season. But Fernandes remains defiant, acknowledging the criticism while expressing his respect for Keane and his desire to prove his doubters wrong.
“I try to be the best captain I can be and help my teammates in the best way possible,” Fernandes said. “Criticism will always be part of it, and it helps me grow.”
Fernandes’ importance to the team is hard to ignore. Since his United debut in 2020, he has been directly involved in 109 goals across 186 Premier League matches, the second most in the league behind Mohamed Salah. His ability to create chances is unmatched, with Fernandes having created 90 more opportunities than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Even though Fernandes continues to deliver on the pitch, he’s not one to focus solely on personal accolades. When asked about his desire for more titles, he humbly insisted, “I deserve the same as my teammates. It’s about the team, not about how much I score or assist. I want to help the club succeed.”
Despite the growing pressure, Fernandes also revealed that last summer, he nearly left Manchester United. He had offers to move, but after speaking with manager Erik ten Hag and club officials, he decided to stay, believing in the vision of a successful rebuild at the club. “I had an offer to leave, but I wanted to know if the club saw me as part of their future. They made it clear I was a big part of the rebuild, and I believed we could be successful,” Fernandes explained.
With United’s future still uncertain and Champions League qualification on the line, Fernandes remains pivotal to their aspirations. As the club works to rebuild under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership, Fernandes’ leadership and consistency could be the key to their success.
“I want to win trophies,” Fernandes said. “This club is all about winning, and I’ll do everything I can to help make that happen.”
With Fernandes leading the charge, Manchester United’s ambitions of silverware and a brighter future remain very much alive.
