Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has shut down the raging transfer rumours involving Bruno Fernandes, insisting that the club wants to keep him both for the present and future.
A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal are eyeing a shock move for Fernandes, who has undoubtedly been United’s best player during what has been an immensely difficult season.
It was subsequently claimed that Al-Hilal are ready to offer United a British record transfer fee in an effort to convince them to sanction the sale of their captain.
United are eager to keep Fernandes and this has now been confirmed by Amorim. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Athletic Club, Amorim said, “I think it is easy to understand that [transfer speculation], not just because of the numbers but the way he plays. He is a top player and we need to top players.”
“He is a leader, the captain. It is natural that people want Bruno, but we want to keep him. He is one of the top players of the world.”
United head into the return leg against Athletic with a healthy 3-0 lead gained from the first game. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing and in the early stages of the contest at San Mames, the Red Devils could have found themselves one or two goals down.
Asked about this, Amorim answered, “I had a feeling that they [Athletic] were really intense, but most of the opportunities were a little bit our fault; we lost possession. They created chances because when we lost the ball we had problems.”
“Sometimes, we have 30 minutes with a lot of problems and we show the players why we had that problem. We watched it quite a few times. We showed them why we had so many problems in the first 30 minutes.”
Amorim insisted that United will have to suffer to book their spot in the final.
“It’s everything together. If you look at our team, we cannot say today what is going to happen. There are some teams in any league that can understand the game is going to be like this and could change a little bit.”
“We have to face the game as one more game. I feel we have to score to go to the next round. That is how we are going to approach the game. We will have to suffer a little bit to go to the final, and we are ready to suffer.”
The Portuguese head coach stressed that the team is improving, even though the results don’t necessarily reflect that.
“We are improving the way we play, we are more confident and we are ready to face this challenge.”
On the pressure of winning as a manager, Amorim remarked, “The meaning is that you have to win it. As a manager, it is not like the same as a player, who wants to play and enjoy it. As a manager, you have to win it. If you lose in the final, it will hurt even more, especially in this kind of season. It is different from coach to a player. We will focus on our semi-final.”
Athletic will be without their three most dangerous attackers – Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet. All three are injured and have not been included in their travelling squad.
Amorim said about this, “It doesn’t matter. For us, it doesn’t matter. We need to go to the game. It is a final for us and we need to go to it to win the game.”
Asked about the winner of the Europa League gaining entry into the Champions League, Amorim explained, “I just know the rules. If people want to change the rules, by all means. But these are the rules and the rules are that you win the Europa League, you go to the Champions League, so we will follow the rules.”
“I don’t think a lot about it. I know that the Champions League is for the champions or the best team in the leagues. We are just following the rules.”
A few months ago, Amorim branded the current United squad as perhaps the worst in the club’s history.
On this, the 40-year-old pointed out, “I think you have to see the quotes in the moment, so things can change. If you look to the Premier League, since I arrive, we are the worst team since I arrived. At the end of this season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title.”
“This season has been really disappointing for everyone, but nothing is going to change. In that moment, sometimes I have to think a little bit more.”
He added about Athletic, “The idea of of Athletic will not change, but the characteristics of the players will change, and that is important for us to know. It is going to be a strong team with a strong identity.”
United vs. Athletic kicks off at 20:00 BST.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
