Bruno Fernandes had to be convinced Manchester United were intent on challenging for trophies before he signed his new contract in April.
The 28-year-old agreed a fresh four-year deal with an option of a further 12 months only after John Murtough, the football director, and Darren Fletcher, the technical director, assured him United had a clear plan despite then having an interim manager, Ralf Rangnick.
“I came to the club and my aim is winning trophies, because I know how big this club is and I know how big we can still be,” said Fernandes. “So I had a conversation last year [season] when everyone knew that Ralf was not the coach for the future.
“I said I want to be helpful for the club, but I also want to know where we are going. Is there a plan, a future? This was before I signed my new contract because I said to the club: ‘Obviously money is important, no one can hide that, it’s always important to earn more and more in football or life; you always want to have the best for yourself.’
“But at that time, I said: ‘I’m on good money, I don’t want a new contract without knowing that we have a good future in the club. I want to know where we are going. I don’t need to know who the manager is, but I want to know as a club, do you think we have a future? Does the club want to achieve trophies or does the club want to build something to go to the Champions League?’ Because for me, that’s not enough and the club demands more, the quality of the players we have. It demands more than just being here and fighting for fourth place. It demands trophies, at least fighting for trophies.”
Fernandes was happy with the response. “The club said they have a plan, this is what they want, we agree with you that the level of the club has to be better than it has been in the past, we can achieve much more, we can do much more,” the attacking midfielder said. “That’s why I have never had my head out of here but was making sure the club is still in the same direction that it was when I signed [in January 2020]. First of all [I speak to] John and Darren Fletcher because they’re the people we have close for the players to talk to. That was the conversation I had with them.”
Erik ten Hag, who became the manager, has guided United to fourth place going into Saturday’s derby at home to Manchester City. After his side lost the reverse fixture 6-3, he said his players lacked courage and he wants them to be “brave” this time.
“It is a way of playing, in possession, so you give each other options, scanning the right moment, taking the right decisions, go forward when it’s possible,” he said. “For defending, be front foot, be aggressive. As a team, act with togetherness, so have the same ideas in every situation.”
