Fernandes has been an important player for Manchester United ever since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
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Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes insists that he does not need a rest as Manchester United prepare for a congested run-in to finish the season. He has played 52 times so far this season for United and has also earned eight caps for Portugal in this time. He was at his usual best in the thumping 6-2 Europa League semifinal first-leg win over Roma last week. With fixtures coming thick and fast, it is not clear whether he will start the second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
The attacking midfielder, however, said that he will always make himself available for selection. “For me, the most important [thing] is playing,” Fernandes told club media in an interview. “When the coach wants me, it’s important to know I’m ready to play every game, every minute.”
“I will never say I’m [too] tired to play because this is my dream. I will never be tired to play. When I was a kid, I played maybe seven or eight hours a day. So, to play 90 minutes every three days or two days is not enough for me.”
Thanks to the brace against Roma at Old Trafford, Fernandes is only one goal behind Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland’s tally of 10 goals in the European competitions in 2020/21. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has also scored nine times in the Champions League and Europa League.
Speaking about the second leg clash on Thursday, he said, “I think we have to approach the game well. We know the qualities they have and what they caused us in the first half so we have to go there, not giving them any hope or chance to believe that they can change the result.”
“I think we have great players but, anyway, it doesn’t matter who plays. We have qualities and everyone can do something for the team, everyone can score, everyone, if they have a chance, can do really well. It doesn’t matter who plays, everyone will be ready.”
Fernandes also emphasised the importance of lifting the trophy on 26th May and what it would mean for the squad. “It’s really important,” he added. “A signal of the improvement of the team and it’s a sign we are growing up as a team.”
