Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes didn’t hold back after his team’s 2-2 draw against Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He called parts of the team’s performance “lazy” and urged his teammates to improve before the new season starts.
His comment came after a mixed display by Manchester United during their final match of the Premier League Summer Series. Although United ended the tour unbeaten and technically won the tournament, Fernandes wasn’t happy with how some players performed during the draw.
Manchester United’s new coach, Ruben Amorim, didn’t disagree. In fact, he supported Fernandes’ criticism. Amorim believes it’s a good sign when players themselves notice a drop in standards and speak out about it.
“I’m actually happy the players feel this way,” Amorim said after the game. “It shows they understand what’s needed at this level. It means we’re moving in the right direction. The tour went really well overall. We had a good atmosphere, great work on and off the pitch, and now we return to Carrington with clear ideas of what to improve.”
Amorim admitted that while Manchester United showed positive signs throughout the preseason, the Everton match highlighted areas that need fixing. “We are going into the new season knowing we still have a lot of work to do,” he added.
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Amorim Backs Fernandes and Demands Higher Standards
Fernandes wasn’t just speaking about the game; he also spoke about the need for new signings before the summer transfer window closes. Speaking to NBC, he said, “I hope the club can bring in one or two more players to help us get better.”
So far, Manchester United have spent around £133 million this summer. They’ve signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo made his debut against Everton and showed glimpses of his potential. But fans and players alike feel that the squad still needs strengthening, especially with the long season ahead and the club’s return to European competitions.
One of Manchester United’s top targets remains Benjamin Sesko, the talented striker from RB Leipzig. Amorim didn’t say too much about him directly, but he acknowledged that Fernandes was right to want more support.
“A team can always improve by adding new players,” said Amorim. “But more importantly, we have enough quality within our current group. What we need is to grow stronger together. I’m really happy with the club and the squad we have right now.”
Talks for Sesko are still ongoing. RB Leipzig are in communication with both Manchester United and Newcastle United, who have reportedly made a formal bid to sign the 21-year-old striker. United remain hopeful that they can beat Newcastle in the race to get Sesko’s signature.
United Recruitment Team Working “Around the Clock”
Before the Everton match, Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada gave some insight into the club’s transfer strategy. He said the club is doing everything possible to find the right players before the window closes.
“We are working on many things at once,” Berrada told MUTV. “There’s a lot of pressure, but our recruitment team is doing a great job. Jason Wilcox and his team are working day and night to bring in the right additions to improve our squad.”
Berrada also mentioned that these are busy times behind the scenes. “We’re having early morning meetings and late-night calls to make sure we stay ahead in the market. It’s not easy, but we are doing our best to give Manchester United the best possible squad.”
With the season just around the corner, Amorim is focused on building a strong team culture. He wants his players to be honest with each other, push one another, and be hungry for success. Fernandes’ comments may have been tough, but they fit exactly into the new coach’s plan for raising the standards at Manchester United.
Despite some shaky moments in the Everton game, Manchester United’s overall preseason was promising. New signings are beginning to settle in, young players are stepping up, and the team is slowly adjusting to Amorim’s style of play. The club now returns to Carrington, their training ground, for final preparations.
With Fernandes setting the tone as captain, Amorim pushing for accountability, and the club working hard in the transfer market, Manchester United seem determined to start the 2025-26 season strong.
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