I see criticism as positive – Man United captain Fernandes

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has mentioned he accepts criticism of his play as a “positive” and conceded the staff has not lived as much as expectations this season.

United are sixth within the Premier League, 9 factors adrift of fourth-place Tottenham, who occupy what might be the final Champions League qualifying spot, relying on the Premier League’s rating in UEFA’s coefficient race.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Asked by Portuguese outlet Abola why he’s usually blamed when United does not play effectively, Fernandes mentioned: “I’m the Manchester United captain but also because of the standard I’ve created since arriving here.

“This is completely my fault on the positive aspect as a result of I did good issues, I am able to doing higher they usually criticise me for that. I see this on the positive aspect. If they’re criticising me it’s as a result of they suppose I am able to doing higher.

“It’s true that there are times when people criticise the attitude, and that things weren’t rushed and that things weren’t done, but when those things happen I’m completely calm.

“This has been extra on my shoulders since Cris [Cristiano Ronaldo] left [in November 2022] right here, which is regular, his identify attracted extra consideration than mine.

“The [criticisms] probably fall more on foreign players than on home players.”

Since becoming a member of United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes, 29, has received only one membership trophy, the Carabao Cup final season.

Fernandes, 29, added he’s bold and understands the followers’ frustrations.

“I’ve always told the club that I don’t want them to promise me that we’re going to be champions, because, for any club I go to, I don’t expect them to promise me something that they can’t fulfill at the outset,” the Portugal worldwide mentioned.

“What I have always asked and want from the club is for us to be competitive.

“This yr, we weren’t and we do not have to cover it. The season has been beneath our expectations, beneath what my expectations are, not less than. And I consider that for the membership too, as a result of it’s not used to being in these positions.

“I want to be competitive, I want to compete, I want to win.”

Fernandes has already instructed the membership that he desires to remain at United, the place he’s beneath contract till June 2026.

“I’ve already had a meeting with the new owners,” Fernandes mentioned.

“They want to meet with the players and have already done so individually, and that was exactly the message I sent. I want to stay here, I want to be part of a project that has feet, legs, torso and head, everything that is needed so that we can compete with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, which are the clubs that have been in the best shape.

“City and Liverpool particularly, and Arsenal, which within the final two or three years has additionally been rising. After final yr, when I suppose we had an excellent season for the expectations that existed and for my expectations.

“I was aware that [this season] we weren’t going to be at the same level as Liverpool and City, I was aware of that, but I was also aware that we could compete or be closer, and we were closer to competing with them [last season], we reached two finals, we won one [Carabao Cup], we lost another [FA Cup], we reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

“But from final season to this one there wasn’t that continuity which might make us much more aggressive, a staff extra in line to be within the high locations.”

Fernandes is not bothered by the expectations that come by playing at United.

“Honestly, I do not see it as strain,” he said.

“I merely do what I like. I have a transparent conscience that day by day I prepare my hardest, play my hardest. You can clearly level out to me that I performed effectively or poorly, confirmed lots or little high quality, that I missed passes, missed photographs, however on the subject of all the pieces else I all the time have a transparent conscience.”