Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United captain urges club to sign more players after ‘lazy’ draw to Everton – ‘It's not the place it needs to be'
Published 04/08/2025 at 08:42 GMT+1
Manchester United may have won the Premier League Summer Series without losing any of their three matches, but Bruno Fernandes was not entirely satisfied, calling on his team-mates to eradicate any "laziness" ahead of their season opener against Arsenal on August 17. The Red Devils drew 2-2 with Everton, with Fernandes and Mason Mount on the scoresheet.
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Bruno Fernandes said Manchester United were guilty of "laziness" in their 2-2 Premier League Summer Series draw with Everton.
The United captain scored from the spot to put his side in front, but Iliman Ndiaye equalised shortly before half-time.
Mason Mount restored the Red Devils' lead in the second half, only for an Ayden Heaven own goal to level things up again.
And Fernandes was candid in his assessment of the performance in Atlanta.
"We didn't want to finish in this way," he said. "Our performance wasn't the best and we were a little bit lazy today.
"We want to avoid that because with laziness you can pay at any moment."
On the overall pre-season tour of the US, Fernandes said: "It's been positive. It's been positive to be together to create a bond between the players.
"It's been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too."
Fernandes also gave his thoughts on the state of United's squad, which has been bolstered this summer by the big-money additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
But the Portugal international admitted more signings may be necessary.
"It's improving," he added. "But it's not the place it needs to be.
"I don't want to take a dig at anyone but the club is doing the best they can in terms of the financial situation they talk about.
"But it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here, more quality to get everyone to step up a little more to get to the XI, and I think that is what the club are trying to do.
"Hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that."
After last season's dismal 15th-place finish in the Premier League, Fernandes called for a return of the club's winning mentality.
"Every small thing matters," he said. "At this football club you cannot do anything wrong on or off the pitch because it is too big worldwide and you get punished by that.
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"You get the attention of the media, the attention from the fans and you have to be aware of that.
"The culture of this club was winning. We need to bring that back.
"It's not only the winning mentality that we need but it is other things too that the club are trying to improve like the facilities, the team, the staff and a lot of other things.
"A lot of people have suffered from this and now it is time for us players to show it on the pitch."
Amorim: 'We need to do a lot of things better'
Ruben Amorim echoed Fernandes' calls for improvements after the Everton draw.
But he claimed his captain's critical observations could also be viewed in a positive light.
"I think I'm happy for the players to have that feeling," the United boss told reporters. "It's saying that they understand the situation. So, it's a good feeling.
"I think the momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling, and then we go back to Carrington and we are near to start the season.
"We are going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things [better]."
Asked about the need for more additions before the close of the transfer window, Amorim said: "A team can always improve with more players, but we have players to make that competition.
"We need to improve as a team. We have potential to improve with our players and I'm really happy with this club."
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