Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has declared one target for the Red Devils must be ‘compulsory’ as Michael Carrick’s side look to build on securing Champions League football
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set out his targets for the club. The Red Devils have clinched a Champions League spot and currently occupy third position in the Premier League.
United’s climb up the table has occurred during Michael Carrick’s tenure in charge. The 44-year-old has triumphed in 10 of his 14 matches at the helm, building a compelling argument to be handed the role on a permanent basis. A crucial change that the manager is praised for is reinstating Kobbie Mainoo’s position in midfield after the academy product was dropped under previous manager Ruben Amorim. The 21-year-old netted the decisive goal against Liverpool at the weekend.
Nevertheless, the England international’s resurgence comes as no shock to former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at some of the major stories surrounding United.
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Bruno Fernandes identifies ‘compulsory’ objective
Bruno Fernandes has been pivotal in transforming the team’s fortunes, registering 12 assists in 14 matches under Carrick. Yet the 31-year-old has insisted that qualifying for Champions League football should be the bare minimum expected of United as the skipper sets his sights on a future title challenge.
“We have to be the main character every time and not think, ‘Let’s try to do our best and see what’s coming,'” Fernandes told Gary Neville for Sky Sports. “We have to be the main character in the game and then we will see.
“Sometimes you’re going to struggle, sometimes you won’t, but you have to try to be the main character in the game because you play for a big club and play for a huge place.
“Not where we are at the moment, we want to be in the top four all of the time, that has to be compulsory, but it’s the first place that we want.”
Gary Lineker left stunned
Gary Lineker has questioned Ruben Amorim’s judgement following Kobbie Mainoo’s recent performance against Liverpool.
The midfielder netted the decisive goal and Lineker was left baffled as to why Mainoo failed to start a league match under Amorim during the early stages of the campaign.
“Kobbie Mainoo, I thought [he] was the star of this game,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “I am absolutely bewildered by the fact that he didn’t get a look-in under the previous incumbent. It’s incredible.
“I mean, what? What? I don’t get it at all. And even whatever system you play or anything like that, how can you not see how good that kid is?”
United plan ‘hush-hush’ transfer
United are reportedly planning to cash in on Manuel Ugarte this summer for the right fee, but the Red Devils want to do a deal on the ‘hush-hush’.
The 25-year-old has failed to adapt to life at Old Trafford since arriving in 2024 from PSG in a £42.1million deal. Despite his former manager Ruben Amorim signing him, Ugarte struggled to get into the Portuguese’s side and his woes have continued under Michael Carrick.
However, if a suitable offer doesn’t arrive, Ugarte would likely remain at the club as fourth-choice midfielder with United planning a midfield overhaul as Casemiro prepares to depart.