Fernandes netted the opening goal for Manchester United on Saturday night in New Jersey, in his first match officially leading the Red Devils, having replaced Harry Maguire as skipper. When asked about the captaincy, the 28-year-old midfielder revealed, “I think it’s me, but I didn’t know until the coach announced it to the whole team. It’s fantastic to be the captain of Manchester United; it’s a major achievement in my career, but now the real challenge begins. The manager chose me because of my contributions in the previous season and the good working relationship we have. He likes how I operate, my discipline, my passion, and everything I bring to the team. So, I have no reason to change after all these things.”
“My approach will remain the same. I don’t need to change anything!” Fernandes added. “You have to be as natural as possible because all my teammates know me: they know I always try to be open with everyone, I’m straightforward, and I try to help them in the best way I can. Sometimes I might be wrong, and sometimes I might not do things perfectly, but they understand me very well, and they know that I give my all for them. Everything I say to them is because I believe they can do great things, because they are great players in the locker room.”
Reflecting on the previous season, where Manchester United finished third in the Premier League, won the EFL Cup, but lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Fernandes believes it laid a solid foundation for progress. “We had a really good season. It wasn’t a success, but I think it was a good season,” Fernandes shared. “We started in the wrong way. We had two bad results, and our away games weren’t the best… It’s understandable as it was the manager’s first season, the first season for many players. Now, we have to improve, and we are surely going to do it. We have to prove that Manchester United is a big team, always fighting for every trophy.”
Fernandes praised how Maguire handled the captaincy change, stating, “He congratulated me and was genuinely happy for me. I understand his position is not the best at the moment. Surely, Harry has faced difficulties, but he came and congratulated me, and I’m very happy because we always have a great relationship.”
With his standout performances in recent rounds for Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes triumphed over numerous contenders to claim the “Premier League Player of the Month” award for February. Moreover, he is already being hailed as a future legend of the Red Devils.
Eight years after arriving at Porto Airport to head to Novara, Fernandes left Portugal once again. But this time, his status was different – a record-breaking signing, a star, a player capable of changing Manchester United’s fortunes in the seasons to come.
Certain players arrive at a club and immediately inject a new energy, dispelling the dejection and lethargy that once plagued the team. Bruno Fernandes is precisely one such player for Manchester United.
Liverpool has now become the Premier League and Champions League champions, conquering numerous titles and records. However, before Virgil van Dijk’s arrival, they often dropped points or suffered unfortunate defeats due to defensive errors. The presence of the Dutch defender not only brought quality to the defense but also showcased the leadership qualities he possessed. That’s the value of a transformative signing for a club.
Fernandes is no different. Firstly, he brings fluidity and intelligence to the “Red Devils’” style of play. A midfielder with vision, composure, agility, and excellent creativity, Fernandes is precisely the player Manchester United has been seeking for a long time. The Portuguese midfielder acts as a key to unlock the potential of his teammates around him. Manchester United fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing Fernandes combine with Paul Pogba – two high-profile, top-class midfielders – in the team, and Pogba himself has expressed excitement about playing alongside the former Sporting Lisbon player.
