S Poddar
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has responded to manager Ruben Amorim’s sharp criticism of the squad, making it clear that the players must step up and prove their worth. Fernandes insisted that playing for United comes with immense pressure and that every player must have the mentality to thrive under it.
Amorim, who took over after Erik ten Hag left, recently said that the team he inherited could be the worst in the history of the club. His comments were controversial, but Fernandes believes they were made in the heat of the moment, knowing the passionate nature of the Portuguese football culture.
Fernandes’ Strong Message to His Teammates
Speaking after United’s win over Rangers in which he netted the winning goal, Fernandes did not shy away from the challenge laid down by Amorim. According to him, the players must take the responsibility of restoring the reputation of the club.
“The reality is that to play for this club, you have to have that pressure – and you have to have the balls to play for this club,” Fernandes stated. “Every game is an opportunity to bring Manchester United back to where it belongs.”
Fernandes admitted that United have had a bad season, saying, “There have been too many ups and downs. Every time we seem to be improving, we take a hit and drop again. What we need to do is show resilience and keep fighting.”
Amorim’s Warnings: Wake-Up Call or Risky Step?
Amorim’s candid comments on the team’s past record raised fears of dressing-room indiscipline. But Fernandes said he doesn’t see it that way. “He’s just trying to motivate me,” he said.
“For me personally, it fires me up because I don’t want to hear my manager say things like that about the team. But I know he doesn’t truly believe it—it was said in a moment of frustration. I understand the passion, and that’s why I take it as motivation,” Fernandes explained.
The Portuguese playmaker admitted that United is in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable position but at the same time emphasized that the way forward is to work harder and perform better on the pitch.
Moving Forward: A Test of Character
As United fights to regain its place in the top spots of the Premier League, Fernandes believes that the squad needs to step up to Amorim’s challenge and respond through improved performances.
“We have to accept where we are, but we also need to push ourselves to bigger things. The expectation is to fight for trophies, and we need to show that we belong at the top.”
Fernandes’s defiance will be a rallying cry for his teammates to prove their critics wrong. Whether Amorim’s tough-love approach will actually yield positive results remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—United’s captain is ready to lead the way back.
