Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes reveals he has been ‘called’ into to the office by Erik ten Hag ‘two or three times’ this season to discuss his performances ahead of FA Cup final showdown with Man City
- Bruno Fernandes says he has had several meetings with Erik ten Hag this season
- The Portuguese midfielder has come under some criticism for some of his antics
- He heaped praise on the United boss for keeping faith in him ahead of the final
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has revealed has has had several meetings with Erik ten Hag to improve his game ahead of the FA Cup final.
The Red Devils will seek to win their second trophy of the season when they take-on rivals Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
Fernandes, who will lead out the team, came under some criticism this term for some of his antics which has consisted of him frantically waving his arms at team-mates and requesting to be substituted but he praised Ten Hag for keeping faith in him.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 28-year-old said: ‘I’m aware that he’s really happy with the way I train, the way I play, the way I show my emotions and the way I show my passion for the game,’ said Fernandes.
‘He knows I care. That’s why probably sometimes it makes you do some things that you should not do.
Bruno Fernandes says he has had several meetings with manager Erik ten Hag this season
The Portuguese midfielder praised Ten hag for keeping faith in him despite criticism
Fernandes has been ever-present for United this term with 13 goals and 15 assists in 58 games
‘But I will never do anything to make the team look bad, make my team-mates look bad, or something that is not good for the team. He knows that, so that’s why it protects me.
‘I think that’s good because he shows you the respect, he shows you the protection, but always with the demands behind that because obviously when you protect someone you want them to give you some back, so he can have his reasons to protect you.’
‘He has called me to his office two or three times and said “look, we have to change this, we have to change this, I think you could do it in a different way”. We had many conversations this season.’
Fernandes, who joined from Sporting Lisbon for £47million in 2020, has been ever-present for United this season, with 13 goals and 15 assists in 58 matches.
He topped the charts for the most chances created in the Premier League this season on 119 to move clear of Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne (98) and Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier (110).
The United star also leads the way for most big chances created in the English top-flight on 32, but has only managed eight assists due to Ten Hag’s side struggling to convert goalscoring opportunities.
He helped the club clinched their first trophy in six-years after beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year.
