Bruno Fernandes says he is willing to play through the pain barrier to ensure Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
Fernandes scored United's winner in Sunday's 1-0 win over Aston Villa, which nudged Erik ten Hag 's side closer to a top-four finish. United are currently fourth, seven points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, with a game in hand on their arch rivals in the race for a Champions League spot.
Stand-in skipper Fernandes is still carrying a painful knock he picked up in United's FA Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Brighton. Fernandes was pictured wearing a protective boot after the Wembley clash, but played the whole of United's 2-2 draw at Tottenham last Thursday.
He also played the full 90 minutes against Villa on Sunday and revealed he is still struggling with the issue, but vowed to play on despite the pain. “I'm happy to never be in a condition that doesn't make me get out of games," said Fernandes.
"But, obviously, I had a knock in the FA Cup semi-final and that still hurts a little bit. But I can play. I can still help the team and whenever the manager needs me.
“I will be available for the team to help, because I think it's important for me to play as much as I can. But obviously, I want to try to be in the best condition and try to not get ill and everything like that, and try to eat healthily enough to be in the best condition to play every game.”
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Despite United's points advantage and game in hand over the chasing pack, Fernandes insisted the race for a top four place is far from over. But the Portugal international said United deserve to be playing Champions League football next season.
“There's still some work to do," said Fernandes. "Obviously we're in a great position. We're in the top four and we have to be there, in the Champions League.
“These players deserve to play in this kind of competition, playing against the best teams in the world, and we will give everything to be in the top four.
“Our aim is always to win trophies and this year, although our aim is to win the Premier League, that is not there anymore, so we have to aim for the top four and for the FA Cup final.”
United left-back Tyrell Malacia echoed Fernandes and said: "There's always work to be done. The manager's always demanding things from us, so that's important. But I think we have to watch our game and make sure we play for the Champions League.
"We have a lot of quality, so that's good, and I think we need that, as a club, as Manchester United, we always need quality."
