Bruno: Ronaldo is not the problem

Bruno Fernandes had a fantastic start to life at Manchester United but last season was a poor one by the standards that he had previously set.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Fernandes has reflected on the sort of player he is and why he thinks he can be successful under new manager Erik ten Hag.

When I arrived the club was being criticised and the results were not the best, so when I came in but not because of me, the team started getting better results. Last season, as a team it was not successful so individually it’s difficult to be successful. I was trying in the same way to improve the team, but obviously, it was a difficult season for everyone and was tough to be successful individually because the results were not there.

As soon as the team is doing well and getting good results, that will make me happy and make my game be much better. I know everyone is expecting so much from me because my first season was amazing and last season I only scored 10 goals and 14 assists. I know I can do much better than that. I’m happy for what I’ve been doing at the club and the new contract shows the club respects me and trusts me, and it’s time for me to repay that.

I’m an emotional player and an emotional person. I criticise myself too much and sometimes I need to calm down a little bit, but that’s the way I am. I don’t like to lose but I don’t try to blame anyone. I try to see what I can do better to make the team improve.

I talk with the manager and he asks me what I am feeling about the game-plan and I said to him I had a coach at Sporting Lisbon (Marcel Keizer) who came from Ajax too and the way of things was quite similar and I had my best season with him. So for me, it’s about following the rules [Ten Hag] wants, following his demands and my game will come naturally. The main thing for me is that the team is successful.

Some supporters have blamed the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo for United’s problems last season, with the team having to play differently to accommodate him. Bruno, who looks up to his compatriot greatly, insists Ronaldo can’t be held responsible for the failures of the team.

I am there to serve my strikers and I think we had an amazing start to the season. When Cristiano came in he scored two goals in his first game and I scored one and after that, I scored many goals playing with Cristiano. I think all of my goals I was playing alongside Cristiano, so I don’t think that was the problem at all. I play with him for Portugal and that will never be the problem because good players can fit together at any time at any point.