Bruno Fernandes: Ruben Amorim lauds Manchester United captain after double in pre-season win over West Ham United - 'He's our leader'
Updated 27/07/2025 at 16:14 GMT+1
Ruben Amorim is relieved and delighted that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes decided to stay at the club after receiving a mega offer from Saudi side Al Hilal in June. The 30-year-old has been the club's most influential player through several poor seasons for the Premier League club, and once again showed his value with two goals in a pre-season win over West Ham in New Jersey.
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Ruben Amorim admitted that captain Bruno Fernandes staying at Manchester United is vital to the club as he attempts to rebuild following a nightmare 2024/25 season.
Fernandes was often one of the only bright spots in United's worst Premier League season, in which they finished in 15th place, while they lost the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Portuguese midfielder was on hand once again to lead United as he scored both goals in a 2-1 pres-eason win over West Ham United at a sweltering MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 30-year-old had the chance to leave Old Trafford in June after a huge offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal but decided to stay, much to the delight of Amorim.
"It was so clear last season," said Amorim. "You can see it in the assists, the goals. Not just that.
"I think now he has more players. I felt that on the tour. I felt that now there are more players to help them to lead the group. That is a good thing.
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"But he's our leader, so it's really important. Not just on the field, but also off the field."
Fernandes scored from the penalty spot for his first goal, and then produced a fine finish past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from outside the box for his second.
He is United’s most influential playmaker no matter where he is on the pitch, but routinely dropped deep in Amorim's system last season.
Against West Ham, Amorim used Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in the centre to free up Fernandes to stay in the No. 10 role.
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"Last year I felt that sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and then we missed Bruno near the box," Amorim added.
"He lives by example. He works really hard. Always available. Sometimes he plays with pain. The problem is sometimes he gets frustrated and sometimes he loses a little bit the focus of his job.
"Sometimes he wants to help so much his team-mates that sometimes it's not the best thing to do.
"Bruno has to wait for the ball in different situations. This kind of thing is a leader, but he needs help. And he's going to have help."
'I FELT GOOD' - FERNANDES
Fernandes reflected positively on the win, adding that he felt good and also praising Matheus Cunha for his performance.
"I felt good," Fernandes told Sky Sports. "Training has been very good. We have been doing very well. It's good to win the game, even it being a friendly and to go into the season in a positive way.
"Overall the game was good. We were good on the ball. In some moments we could have kept possession for longer as the manager was asking - we rushed a bit in the final third when trying to score our goals. We will work on that."
Cunha and Fernandes clicked well as the two 10s in Amorim's team, creating chances together as they showed United fans a glimpse of what they can expect in the attacking department this season.
"The Brazilians are very loud, very happy," Fernandes said about Cunha.
"He's a very funny guy and has settled very quickly with everyone. That's good as we need him to connect with every player and get the best out of him."
United will begin their Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal on Sunday, August 17.
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