Ruben Amorim has spoken about the high expectation that was placed on Bruno Fernandes last season and the impact that it had on the Manchester United captain.
Bruno Fernandes was Manchester United’s standout performer in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, with the Red Devils underperforming in the season.
The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League table last season and United fell short of the Europa League trophy in May after a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao.
Despite United’s woeful form and results in the 2024-25 season, Fernandes remained an influential force for Ruben Amorim in the United first-team squad.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes netted an impressive 19 times and had 19 assists to his name in 57 matches across all competitions for the Red Devils last season.
The 30-year-old United captain’s stunning run of form and exploits earned him the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a record-tying fourth time in his spell.
Ruben Amorim admits the reality around Bruno Fernandes after Man Utd’s 2-1 win vs West Ham during the pre-season tour
Bruno Fernandes had been linked with Al Hilal this summer and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim faced the real possibility of losing his Red Devils talisman.
However, the Portugal international turned down a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League club and committed himself to the Red Devils boss’ project at Old Trafford.
Fernandes showed his impact for the Red Devils again on Sunday after he scored a brace in United’s 2-1 win over West Ham at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Speaking after United’s encounter with West Ham in New Jersey, Amorim suggested that Fernandes was evidently “frustrated” at times during the 2024-25 campaign.
“It was so clear last season, you can see it with the goals and assists,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“But it’s not just that. I think now he has more players, I feel, to help him to lead the group, and that is a good thing.
“Sometimes, the problem is he gets frustrated and loses a little bit of focus of his job.
“Sometimes, he wants to help the teammates so much, it is not the best thing to do. They have to do their job, and Bruno has, for example, to wait for the ball.”
Ruben Amorim now expects a bigger role for three Man Utd players around Bruno Fernandes in the 2025-26 Premier League season
Amorim now believes that the burden of responsibility for United skipper Fernandes will be eased going into the 2025-26 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old ex-Sporting CP boss has tipped summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and England star Kobbie Mainoo to help out Fernandes more.
“Last year, I felt sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up, and we miss Bruno near the box,” he added.
“With different characteristics from Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha – and I really like Kobbie Mainoo’s game – he [Fernandes] will have more help this season.”
Following United’s pre-season friendly win against West Ham, the Red Devils will return to action against Bournemouth on Thursday at the Soldier Field in Chicago.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
