Bruno Fernandes has outlined his “biggest target” for Manchester United this season under Ruben Amorim and admitted it would be a “really big” feat to pull off.
Manchester United secured their acquisition of Ruben Amorim earlier this month after triggering the £9.25m release clause in his Sporting CP contract.
Amorim left Sporting CP at the start of the November international break and took up his place in the Old Trafford hot seat after Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
Former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag was dismissed as United manager in late October after United’s disastrous start to the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
Ruud van Nistelrooy steered the ship after Ten Hag was axed and won three matches and picked up one draw in his four-match spell as interim manager.
Amorim, who inked a deal until June 2027, was widely praised for his work at Sporting CP and the 39-year-old Portuguese faces an uphill task at United.
The United manager took charge of his first match at the Red Devils on Sunday and Amorim’s men walked away with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Fernandes reveals Man Utd ‘target’
Ruben Amorim will lead Manchester United for his first match at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, with the Red Devils facing Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
United disappointed in the Europa League under Erik ten Hag and the former Red Devils manager picked up three draws in the 2024-25 season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Ten Hag, secured United’s first win in Europe this season with a 2-0 victory over PAOK earlier this month.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Bruno Fernandes admitted that he sees the Europa League as a “target” for United to win in the 2024-25 campaign.
“I see it as a target. It has to be,” he said.
“This club, we can’t hide from it, we have to win trophies. It’s about winning trophies. Either we fight for all of them or not.
“We have to go into every competition understanding that we have to fight and do the best we can to get into the moments where we can win something.
“As the manager said, we need time to implement everything that he wants, but at the same time, we need points.
“When you start to win with a foundation and with the base you have, you start to believe even more as a player and as a manager that we can do things right and the way he wants.”
Man Utd star Fernandes on Europa League target
United are 15th in the Europa League table after picking up three draws and one win, with the Red Devils still in contention for reaching the knockout rounds.
Fernandes insisted that the Europa League is “probably the biggest target” for United while highlighting the Red Devils’ place in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
The 30-year-old Portugal midfielder is keen for United to challenge for silverware in the cup competitions and “do the best” they can to improve their league standing.
“For us, the Europa League is a target,” Fernandes added.
“It’s probably the biggest target we have for the season, as silverware in a European competition – it’s really big.
“We’re still in the FA Cup, which is massive for us. We know really well from last season how much it means for us and the fans.
“We’re still in the Carabao Cup, and in the league, we have to do the best we can to get in the highest position possible.”
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