Fernandes: Manchester United Should Never Settle for Losing

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has urged fans not to lower their expectations, despite the team’s struggles this season, particularly at Old Trafford.

Fernandes delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner on Thursday, securing a 2-1 victory against an understrength Rangers side in the Europa League. The win puts United within reach of direct qualification to the competition’s last 16.

Before Thursday’s match, United had lost four of their last five home games, leading manager Ruben Amorim to describe his team as “the worst” in the club’s illustrious history.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Fernandes emphasized the need for resilience and a winning mentality.
“At this club, you need to win every game. If you don’t, things get difficult, and tough moments will come,” he said. “This is a massive club with a history of winning. I hope our fans never get used to losing, even in these challenging times. They should always expect us to win.”

A draw against Romanian side FCSB next week would be enough to secure a top-eight finish in the Europa League group stage, sparing United from a playoff round. Amorim has expressed his desire to advance directly to the last 16, allowing more time to implement his tactical ideas.

For Fernandes, the goals extend beyond qualification. He’s focused on winning the competition outright, with the final set to take place in Bilbao this May.
“Getting the win today was crucial because we aim to progress in the Europa League and reach the final,” Fernandes said. “Securing a top-eight finish will help us avoid playing two extra games.”

Last week, United also staged a late comeback, overturning a 1-0 deficit to beat bottom-placed Southampton 3-1, thanks to a hat-trick from Amad Diallo.

However, Fernandes called for greater consistency from his team, noting that they cannot rely on late-game heroics.
“It’s not just about showing character; we need to demonstrate that over 90 minutes,” he said. “We can’t only step up when we’re behind or when things go wrong. Consistency is key—we must always find a way to win, no matter the circumstances.

“Unfortunately, we conceded a late goal today, but we found a way to respond. We need to be better at maintaining control throughout the game.”

With ambitions high, Fernandes hopes United can build momentum and turn their season around.

(Source: AFP)