Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says Bruno Fernandes has been, and continues to be, a “fantastic signing”
for the club.
The 31-year-old signed from Sporting in 2020 and recently topped 200 goal involvements for the Reds.
Carrick stopped short of getting involved in where Bruno ranks in our all-time list of midfielders during his press conference, ahead of our away trip to Newcastle United, but was not shy in talking up the Portugal international's impact.
He also answered questions on squad fitness, Magpies boss Eddie Howe, grappling in the penalty area and more.
Keep scrolling to read, or watch, everything he had to say...
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire went off on Sunday? Are they available for tomorrow?
“We’re hoping so. We’re working towards it. They weren’t feeling too good, still got a little bit of time to the game, and we’ll just have to see how they feel. So, we’ll obviously give them every chance.”
Is it illness? Neither of them were injured or anything like that?
“No it wasn’t injury, no. It’s just both of them weren’t feeling too good. So yeah, it’s one of those things, really. But we’ll just have to see how they are today and tomorrow morning.”
Just in terms of the form of the team, which has obviously been outstanding. When you were here with Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] the team did very well and then there was a drop off towards the end of the season. When you were at Middlesbrough, you also did really well at the start, and then the results didn't match that at the end of the season, you didn’t achieve what you wanted to. Is there any way of guarding against that?
“Football’s a tough game to get results anyway, so I think, of course, you’re learning. I learn, [am] always learning and, you know, things that, as you go through, you could maybe have done a little bit different, done a little bit better. Not specifically at those times, just in general, really. So, there’s a lot of context and it depends on the players, what the games look like – there’s so many things coming into it. I think, it’s not so much guarding against it, I think it’s just living in the moment and staying in the moment. Keep grounded and down to earth in terms of understanding what it takes to win games, and I’ve said that since I came here. And not getting carried away, we certainly won’t get carried away. I think you’ve got to feed off the confidence and understand that runs of wins are hard to come by but we’re hungry for more for sure, and we need to try and make that as long as it can last and stay consistent.“
Sorry to take it back to a subject that’s been hot this weekend: grappling inside the penalty area. Has it gone too far and do you think anything can be done about it?
“I think it’s gone too far, yeah. I think it wasn’t long ago we were told you couldn’t really lay a hand on anybody in the box, and it was going to be stamped out and clamped down on, and it’s crept in, it’s gone stronger. I think, obviously, the success of set-pieces, corners in particular, probably, in terms of being able to put so many bodies close together has made more teams do it, because the success-rate is so high, so it’s understandable why so many teams are trying it and doing it. In terms of as a game, it doesn’t feel that we’ve got that balance right. So, I don’t know what there is to do about it, it’s not for me to decide that, really, but you know, in the meantime, you’ve got to deal with what’s in front of you, and, if it’s allowed, then you’ve got to play to it.”
And just on the game itself, Newcastle. You’re obviously in a confident mood now, you, the players, everything. The fans talk about Champions League qualification, it’s very much in your own hands now, isn’t it? You’ve got 10 games to go and you’ve got to play the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool. That’s a big plus for you, isn’t it?
“Yeah, again, [we're] not looking too far ahead, in terms of the games and where were trying to get to. I think it’s really important that we stay present and keep our minds on the job. It’s an incredibly tough place to go to, to get a result [at] Newcastle, you know. Been there many times and know it well, so we’re fully aware of that. We haven’t had conversations about it, we’re not looking too far ahead. We understand where we are, I think it was a good step for us at the weekend there, and there will obviously be a good boost that comes from that, whether that’s energy-wise, whether that’s confidence-wise, and just total belief from it. But it doesn’t mean that we can start ifs and buts further down the line. I think we’re in a good position and I think we’ve earned it, the boys have earned it, and we’ve got to try to make the most from now on in.”
You now have the best form of any team in the league, since you took over. Have you surprised yourself with what this team’s achieved, given it’s the same group of players that were here before?
“I wouldn’t use the word surprised, I think you always strive to win games, and, as I’ve just said, understanding that it’s difficult. But again, not looking too far ahead. Every game’s winnable, I think both teams will go into it and think the same thing. If you keep that and go step-by-step, try and be consistent with it and then we’ll feel we give ourselves a chance [in every game]. Coming in at the start, it was, quite quickly, one game at a time again. And I think that’s the only way. When you’re in it, and you’re living it, and you’ve got to perform and the boys have got to be in a good frame of mind to be able to put performances together, I think the only way to do it and to give yourself the best chance, is to stay in the moment. It’s for everybody else to get involved in the discussions of what ifs and buts, and the bigger picture. It’s not for us right now, and we’re happy. We’re happy with the way things have gone. Still think we can do certain things better, which is a really good place to come from, but winning games is a good feeling, a good habit to have, and we’ve got to keep staying hungry with that.”
There was so much discussion before you came in about deep-rooted issues at the club and so on. When you’ve come in, and you’ve worked with this group of players, did you see the signs in there that this run of form was possible?
“Again, [I] didn’t get too far ahead about what was possible at that stage. You had to get to work quickly and put things into practice, and try to be fair to the players, to give them the right information and the right balance to go into the next game, [that] was the first thing. But yeah, listen, I know some of the players, I know some of the players, or have done, more than others. Now I’ve got to know everybody and I think it’s a really good group, talent-wise, ability-wise, I think the boys have shown what they can do. And then there’s that balance of good habits, good behaviours, and actually looking after each other, and there’s certain times we’ve had to really dig in and show that good spirit and team spirit, so I can’t speak highly enough of the players at the moment.”
A word on Bruno [Fernandes], yet again leading the way, spearheading goals, assists. Where does he rank for you in Manchester United folklore with all the great midfielders you’ve had, and is it surprising for you? And secondly, how much would you have liked to have played behind him in that little pocket [of space]?
“I’ll be honest, there’s not loads more I can add to what we’ve already talked about, about Bruno. He’s been here for such a long time-period of time now, and had success in different ways and, certainly individually, shown what he’s all about, in taking responsibility, showing up, being there, facing everything for the ups and the downs. I think that sums up Bruno as a character and his consistency over such a period of time. In terms of where he ranks in club history, that’s not for me to get involved in and it’s irrelevant, but he’s been a major, major plus and a fantastic signing from when he came in and the impact that he’s had since he’s been here and I’m sure that’ll continue.”
And a word on your counterpart for tomorrow’s game, Eddie Howe, a British manager who’s had great success. How much respect have you got for the job he’s done in recent years?
“Yeah, [a] huge amount of respect for Eddie and his staff, I know some of them particularly well, and obviously being from there originally, and it’s something I’ve kept a close eye on. He’s doing a great job, the levels of success and periods that he’s brought to that football club, and the feeling that he’s created around the whole area is incredible. So yeah, I just think he’s a top manager, top coach and he’ll continue having success, I’m sure.”