Manchester United’s success as a group deserves to be in the spotlight instead of individuals, says club captain
Bruno Fernandes says he wants this season’s headlines to be about Manchester United’s progress, not his own performances.
The United captain was one of few consistent performers in a dismal 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 goals and providing 19 assists in all competitions.
His efforts could not prevent the club from finishing 15th in the Premier League though, their lowest position in the top-flight since 1974, or from losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Fernandes said: “I hope you’ll hear less about Bruno this year, but a lot more about United.
“United being talked about, being positive, that’s the most important thing and that’s what I want for this season.
“If it happens that Bruno has to score fewer goals, provide less assists or do another type of provision of what is necessary for the games, I would be very happy.”
Since joining from Sporting in 2020, Fernandes has been a central figure at Old Trafford, delivering 62 goals and 51 assists in 195 league appearances.
But he warned that if United are to return to the top again, they will need the involvement of every member of the team, particularly when defending. United scored only 44 league goals last season and shipped 54.
Fernandes believes new signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko will boost the attack, but he insists defensive discipline across the pitch is just as important.
“We know we didn’t score enough last year, but we also have to know that we have to defend better so as not to suffer as many goals as we conceded last year,” said Fernandes.
“And when I say defend better, it’s not the defenders, but as a team. We need to know how to suffer, how to defend, to know the moments that are necessary to have everyone behind the ball, to have everyone to make recoveries, to have everyone react quickly when we lose it.”
