I see criticism as positive – Man United captain Fernandes،
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he accepts criticism of his play as “positive” and admits the team has failed to live up to expectations this season.
United are sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who occupy what could be the final Champions League qualifying spot, depending on where the Premier League ranks in the UEFA coefficient race .
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Asked by Portuguese media outlet Abola why he is often blamed when United don't play well, Fernandes replied: “I am the captain of Manchester United, but also because of the level I have created since I arrived here.
“It's exclusively my fault on the positive side because I've done good things, I'm capable of doing better and they criticize me for that. I see it on the positive side. If they criticize me, it's because 'They think I'm capable of doing better.
“It's true that there are times when people criticize the attitude, and that things weren't rushed and things weren't done, but when these things happen, I'm completely calm.
“It's been more on my shoulders since Cris [Cristiano Ronaldo] LEFT [in November 2022] here, which is normal, his name attracted more attention than mine.
“THE [criticisms] probably more on foreign players than on domestic players.”
Since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes, 29, has won just one club trophy, last season's Carabao Cup.
Fernandes, 29, added that he was ambitious and understood fans' frustration.
“I always told the club that I didn't want them to promise me that we would be champions, because whatever club I go to, I don't expect them to promise me anything “It wasn't satisfactory at first,” said the Portuguese international.
“What I have always asked and expected from the club is that we are competitive.
“This year we weren't and we don't have to hide it. The season fell short of our expectations, at least my expectations. And I believe that also for the club, because it doesn't not used to being in these positions.
“I want to be competitive, I want to compete, I want to win.”
Fernandes has already told the club he wants to stay at United, where he is under contract until June 2026.
“I already had a meeting with the new owners,” Fernandes said.
“They want to meet the players and have already done so individually, and that's exactly the message I sent. I want to stay here, I want to be part of a project that has the feet, the legs, the torso and the head, everything that It is necessary for us to compete with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, who are the most fit clubs.
“City and Liverpool in particular, and Arsenal, who have also grown over the last two or three years. After last year, where I think we had a good season for the expectations that were there and for my expectations.
“I was aware that [this season] we weren't going to be on 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 one [FA Cup]we reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“But from last season to this one, there hasn't been that continuity that would make us even more competitive, a team more able to occupy the top places.”
Fernandes is not bothered by the expectations that come with playing at United.
“Honestly, I don’t see it as pressure,” he said.
“I just do what I love. I have a clear conscience that every day I train the hardest, I play the hardest. You can obviously point out to me that I played well or badly, that I “I showed a lot or a little quality, that I missed passes, missed shots, but for everything else, I always have a clear conscience.”
