- The Red Devils captain spoke during his service about the ‘dynamics’ at international level
- Man United are fourteenth in the Premier League after a goalless draw against Villa
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Bruno Fernandes has described the atmosphere at Manchester United as ‘not positive’ and admitted he would rather work with the Portuguese side in his latest assessment of life at the embattled club.
The Red Devils are off to the worst start to a Premier League season in their history under manager Erik ten Hag and are in fourteenth place after seven games.
Man United have entered the international break on the back of two shaky draws – the first against Porto after a two-goal lead, and the second a 0-0 stalemate against Aston Villa.
But Ten Hag will be hoping for an improvement in form after the break in a bid to strengthen his position in the dugout, amid reports the club are considering replacements including former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The Dutch manager will also be interested in morale-boosting results, which his captain revealed was tested by the tricky start.
Bruno Fernandes gave a revealing assessment of the mood within Manchester United this season
Under pressure manager Erik ten Hag has experienced the club’s worst competition start in 35 years
The Red Devils captain is looking forward to recharging his energy in Portugal’s setup
“It’s not a positive moment,” Fernandes said via the Sun, putting the spirit among the team down to “not winning games” and confirming that “the national team space is completely different.
“I felt very comfortable, the dynamics are good,” the international continued. ‘I’m in my country, I speak my language and I have better food.
‘I have shown a good level in the national team.
“It’s a space where I feel good and I feel like I can enjoy my football at a very high level, thanks to the dynamics we have and the quality I have on my side.”
Although Fernandes received the second red card of his Man United career against Porto and will be unavailable due to the coming troubles in Europe, his first – handed to him just days earlier in the sobering 3-0 defeat to Tottenham – came in appeal quashed.
As such, the midfielder will be able to feature in must-win matches against Brentford and West Ham when Premier League action resumes next week.
Fernandes emphasized that his focus is firmly on “improvement once I get there (back to Manchester).
‘Making goals appear again because I am a midfielder who scores a lot of goals and has always shown a very high level of goals over the years.
Fernandes (centre) prepares for Nations League clashes with Scotland and Poland
In his last European appearance for Man United, Fernandes was sent off against Porto last week
But the midfielder will be able to take part in the upcoming Premier League action after his red card against Tottenham was overturned
“I have to live up to those expectations and my standards. What I have done is not at all what I want for this season because I have not scored yet at the club.
‘I hope that once I get there I can score and help my club win again and get to a good level.’
The 30-year-old will be hoping to strengthen his form at international level in the first of Portugal’s two Nations League matches against Poland on Saturday evening.
Fernandes – who scored against Scotland and registered an assist against Croatia in the last round of international matches – will then play against Scotland for a second time in Group 1 before returning to Old Trafford.