On the current form of captain Bruno Fernandes:
To be frank, this has to be seen as a collective issue. There is no denying that certain early-season results and goals conceded have brought a degree of frustration and disappointment, but this is far from pointing solely at Bruno; it is a shared responsibility among all of us. In football, whenever a few games do not go according to plan, the pessimistic narrative inevitably emerges: "history is repeating itself." But that is not where our focus lies; what we must consider is how to rediscover our previous strengths. The spirit and cohesion displayed by the squad cannot be broken by this psychological cycle of "things are about to fall apart here again." We need to look forward and see what is possible.
We must share the burden in many different ways, encompassing performance quality, on-pitch displays, and availability. Sometimes it falls on the players, sometimes on the staff, and sometimes we need the supporters to carry and elevate us. It is never about a single individual. When everything is running smoothly, it isn't down to Bruno alone; when circumstances become difficult, it isn't Bruno's fault either. He exerts an immense influence on the team and is a great player. His numbers and headlines might not be as dazzling right now as they were last season, but that doesn't mean he is incapable, and I am confident he will return to his very best shortly.
As I mentioned the other day, Bruno has indeed been playing through a certain injury. Many players soldier on with niggles, things that often go unnoticed by the outside world, where people sometimes take it for granted that everyone is operating at 100% full fitness, though that is rarely the case in reality. To be completely honest, however, he has virtually overcome that issue now and will get back to his optimal level.
On Rúben Amorim being dismissed after facing Leeds United last season:
I genuinely do not look at this match as some kind of "last stand" for me. Frankly, I am relishing the prospect of this game. The inner drive within me to push this club forward outweighs everything else. If you are actively seeking or feeling negativity, you can always find it, but I will not intentionally search for it or magnify it. I am entirely focused on preparing the squad, figuring out how to win matches, and ensuring the lads perform at the standard we expect of ourselves, and we are not far away from that. Once we turn a few fine margins in our favor, we will swiftly return to the right track and move forward. I truly do not view this as "how do I survive" or "how do I protect myself"—none of that matters; what matters is this football club and winning football matches.
Managing Manchester United is the greatest job and the finest role I could ever hold. Sitting in this position brings an incredible honor and a profound sense of responsibility, and I am hungry to make a tangible difference and achieve success here. So I am thoroughly enjoying every bit of it. I even relish those moments when you are stuck in a scrap and must find a way through, because that is precisely what drives you toward success. If you are unprepared for adversity, you will never achieve greatness. We have to fight our way through the rough patches, and I embrace the process.
On Marcus Rashford:
I believe Marcus is doing a lot of good things. Having withdrawn from the England camp previously with a minor issue, he has been managing his physical workload. But he keeps doing the right things; he has simply lacked a bit of luck to convert good opportunities. The other day he had a moment where he could have done better, but he comes onto the pitch specifically to make an impact. As long as he continues doing the right things, the rewards will inevitably follow. So long as he maintains his current approach, he will be fine.
