Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim claims that the club’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, feels more like a leader going into the 2025/26 season. Amorim made these comments after United’s 2 – 1 win over West Ham United in their most recent pre-season fixture.
Fernandes scored both goals for the Red Devils in the match that was played in America. The first was a penalty, and the second was a wonderful strike from outside the box, a type of goal that has typified his time at United.
This performance comes after the player almost exited the club at the beginning of the summer transfer window. The Portugal international was believed to be on the chopping block for INEOS following widespread claims of cost-cutting moves across the club.
As one of the highest earners at the club, he was fingered for a possible exit. The midfielder himself seemed ready to move on, and interested parties lurked around the United offices, waiting to negotiate with them over the player’s transfer.
Other stories claimed that the player was frustrated with the quality of the team, which cost them so much last season and almost sent them into the second division. However, those stories died a natural death, and Fernandes is back in the club’s plans for the upcoming season and beyond.
Amorim was pleased with his performance against West Ham, who are one of the 19 opponents they will face for the chance to win the 21st English top-flight title and their first in a decade and a half. The former Sporting CP Lisbon manager, who is taking charge of his first full season at the club, said that Bruno is happier because the team is shaping up to be one with whom he can fight.
“It was so clear last season,” said Amorim, referring to his importance in the team. “You can see it in the assists, the goals, but not just that. I think now he has more players [around him]. I’ve felt that on the tour. I feel that now there are more players to help him to lead the group. That is a good thing.”
“But he’s our leader, so he’s really important. Not just on the field, but also off the field. He leads by example. He works really hard, is always available, and sometimes he plays with pain.”
Amorim then went on to explain the player’s frustrations, giving a little credence to the stories that claimed his exit, if it happened, would be due to the team’s quality. “The problem is that sometimes he gets frustrated, and sometimes he loses a little bit of the focus of his job,” the manager said.
“Sometimes he wants to help his teammates so much that sometimes it’s not the best thing to do. They all have to learn. They have to do their job. Bruno also has to wait for the ball in different situations. This kind of thing is what a leader does, but he needs help, and he’s going to have help.”
“Bruno has a function or a position for every game. It’s impossible to play in all of the positions.”
“I think with different characteristics, with Matheus Cunha, with Bryan Mbeumo, I really like Kobbie Mainoo’s game, I think he will have more help this season.”
