Bruno Fernandes demands Man United wake up after Hammers humiliation
Manchester United's captain, Bruno Fernandes, has vehemently dismissed any suggestions that their continental success is a valid excuse for their continued domestic failings. Following a demoralizing 2-0 defeat at home against West Ham, Fernandes insisted that every player must take responsibility as the club's Premier League season plunged to a new nadir, leaving them languishing in 16th position.
The mood at Old Trafford was starkly different just days after Ruben Amorim’s squad secured their passage to the Europa League final against Tottenham, thanks to a commanding 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao, capped by a 4-1 semi-final triumph. However, any lingering euphoria was brutally extinguished as goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen handed West Ham their first Premier League victory at the Theatre of Dreams since 2007. The result left manager Amorim visibly furious and deepened the gloom surrounding United's worst campaign in the Premier League era.
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"It's a very disappointing result at home," stated a frustrated Fernandes. "We were confident after the Europa League game and genuinely wanted to win. I believe we created enough opportunities to score and take control. But if you don't convert your chances, you leave yourself vulnerable, and we conceded when we seemed to be managing the game." He acknowledged a troubling pattern this season: "It’s been happening too often – we're in control, fail to score, and then concede from a moment where perhaps the opposition shows more desire in the box."
The skipper stressed the urgent need for improvement in their league performances. "We know we must be much better in the Premier League. We need to display more aggression, penetrate their penalty area more effectively, be more dangerous, and ultimately, be more clinical."
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Despite manager Amorim making six changes to his starting line-up, clearly with an eye on preserving freshness for the upcoming Europa League final, Fernandes refused to use squad rotation or the demands of a packed schedule as a scapegoat. "No, that can't make a difference," he asserted when questioned by MUTV. "Everyone has been training with high intensity and quality, so every player is prepared to step in at any moment. I don't see that as the issue because the entire team is ready for that." He added, "Every chance to play is an opportunity to stake a claim for the next starting eleven. It doesn't matter if you've played less or more; if you get your chance and perform correctly, you can secure your place."
United will now travel to Chelsea on Friday, desperate to end a seven-match winless streak in the Premier League. For West Ham, it was a memorable afternoon, with former United player Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivering a standout performance against his old club, much to the delight of Hammers boss Graham Potter. "He's been truly impressive," Potter commented. "While I can't speak for his entire career, I can't imagine he's played better than he has for us recently."
