Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes thrilled to set Premier League record

Friday 15 January 2021 19:00

Bruno Fernandes said he is delighted with how his first year at Manchester United has panned out - on the pitch, at least.

The Portuguese international picked up another Premier League Player of the Month award on Friday, for his performances in December, making him the first player ever to win four in a calendar year.

He enjoyed a superb start to the month, coming off the bench to inspire the Reds’ comeback win over West Ham United, before netting twice and assisting once against Leeds United a few weeks later.

A goal and two assists followed in matches against Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as his performances helped propel United up the table.

Of course, the Reds currently sit top of the standings ahead of this weekend’s trip to Anfield and Bruno offered his thoughts on the game and reflected on breaking another record, in his interview with the Premier League...
Another brilliant month for Fernandes Video

Another brilliant month for Fernandes

Check out Bruno's best bits in the Premier League throughout December...

Bruno, congratulations, you are the first player in Premier League history to win Player of the Month four times in a [calendar] year, how does that make you feel?
“Good, as always. I think it has been a very good year for me - a difficult time for everyone at the same way, as we all know what’s going on in the world. Nobody knows what’s going on in the world, this is the point. But for me, professionally, [it] was a really good year. As I said, I want to achieve other kind of trophies and awards, but of course I’m really happy to make this history.”

It was your first December as a Premier League player with obviously lots of matches and a very busy schedule, how did you find it all?
“Nice, as I said, when you start to dream to play in the Premier League, in the month [of December], Boxing Day, it’s busy here in England. Unlucky for me it was my first year in empty stadiums and I think the energy and the atmosphere they create in the past few years in the history of football, I think as a kid you enjoy that time. For me, it was a dream for me in Portugal, at lunch with the family and we all know that 26 December will be a busy day for everyone because we watch every match starting 12:30 until 20:00. I’m really happy to be part of this now, but I hope next December I can have the fans with me.”
What was the best moment for you in the Premier League in the month of December?
“I don’t know, it’s difficult to say. I think we have a really good month in December. I think I have a good month. I think three goals and four assists is a complete month for a no.10. When you can score and assist your team-mates it is perfect. I will collect every moment and I hope in the future I can achieve some trophies.”

Your form seems to bring the best out of the other Manchester United attackers, for instance Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial - why do you think this is?
“I don’t know if it’s me changing them. I think when I arrived, Anthony was just recovering from an injury, Marcus was injured, Paul [Pogba] was injured too. [It] was not maybe me changing nothing, but they are fit now, fitter than before. Maybe the confidence of the team… winning game by game helps you to have more confidence. I think this helps to make everyone better. Of course, I’m really happy when I see my team-mates scoring and being happy on the pitch and trying to do their best. I think it’s really important for the team. You know when you have these kinds of players and they have such good qualities, if they enjoy the game [and] are at the top of the level, they will help the team a lot.”
The great run of league results has seen you in the title running. Is being in that position the target for the end of the season?
“I think [in] January nobody wins anything. Maybe before you have the Carabao Cup - before [the final] was played in February. Now it’s played later. In January it’s too long to talk about being champion or trying to do something else. I think we have to keep going; keep trying, keep working in the same way, getting good results and be careful with the details - because details will make you win matches. The mentality is good; we are creating a good mentality. Of course, when you are winning [it] is always easier to get that mentality.”

You visit title rivals Liverpool this weekend. How much are you looking forward to testing yourself against the champions at Anfield?

“The same way I test myself. It’s not different playing against Liverpool or someone else. The main point is the same: three points. We know that we will play against one of the better teams in England. The best team in the last season was them because they were champions; so they were the best team last season. Of course, you know what [it] means for the fans and for everyone, this game. But the most important thing for us is [to] focus and it’s just another game that we have to try and win and just trying to make our best, trying to make our game. I think it is only that. Of course, I know everyone is expecting everything but you don’t see the best of one player in one game. He doesn’t see the pass in the big games or the small games. You see all of the player in the season. You need to make a good season, an entire season - ups and downs. But you need to keep your focus, keep your mentality because sometimes you are just doing different things to help the team.”

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