Bruno: We know we have to give something back
Bruno Fernandes insists Manchester United have to be prepared to put on a performance that the supporters can be proud of, in tonight's game against Liverpool.
United have endured a difficult beginning to the new Premier League campaign, losing both of our first two matches, but there is now an opportunity to kick the season into gear with a positive result against the old enemy on home turf.
Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders are the visitors to Old Trafford for the evening kick-off at 20:00 BST and speaking in an exclusive interview with club media, Fernandes says Erik ten Hag's men must be ready to take on the challenge.
Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders are the visitors to Old Trafford for the evening kick-off at 20:00 BST and speaking in an exclusive interview with club media, Fernandes says Erik ten Hag's men must be ready to take on the challenge.
Fernandes reveals Ten Hag's main focus Video
Fernandes reveals Ten Hag's main focus
Bruno Fernandes doesn't hold back when asked what Erik ten Hag is trying to instil most at United...
“I have been saying this to a lot of people, there’s no better game to bounce back than playing against probably the biggest rival that we have,” Fernandes told Helen Evans, in an interview you can watch in full above.
“It's Monday night, at a full stadium with big support from our fans like always, so we have to be prepared.
“We know we have to give something back to them, it was a tough season, [the] last one, and a tough beginning of this season but we have to bounce back, and this is the right time to do it and we have to do it [tonight].”
“It's Monday night, at a full stadium with big support from our fans like always, so we have to be prepared.
“We know we have to give something back to them, it was a tough season, [the] last one, and a tough beginning of this season but we have to bounce back, and this is the right time to do it and we have to do it [tonight].”
When it comes to playing in this fixture, particularly in front of fans, it feels like Fernandes is still somewhat new to it all, despite joining United over two-and-a-half years ago.
Bruno has played in five competitive matches against Liverpool since then, but only twice in front of supporters (home and away last season), due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite that, our no.8 already has a sense of exactly what it means to everyone involved.
He would describe games against Liverpool as "life or death" and adds: "I play all the games like that, but we cannot forget these big games mean more for the fans than some of the other games.
“For us, it’s another three points, nothing more than that but it’s a big game and because we play for them too, we have to give them that joy, to win these kinds of games, to go on Tuesday to work and be proud of their team. To go out and say that ‘we are Manchester United fans and we are really proud of what they did yesterday’. It’s about that for them.
“[We have to] enjoy the feeling of playing a game like this, enjoy playing at Old Trafford with a full stadium again, with the fans backing you and just do the best you can to give something back to them.”
Bruno has played in five competitive matches against Liverpool since then, but only twice in front of supporters (home and away last season), due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite that, our no.8 already has a sense of exactly what it means to everyone involved.
He would describe games against Liverpool as "life or death" and adds: "I play all the games like that, but we cannot forget these big games mean more for the fans than some of the other games.
“For us, it’s another three points, nothing more than that but it’s a big game and because we play for them too, we have to give them that joy, to win these kinds of games, to go on Tuesday to work and be proud of their team. To go out and say that ‘we are Manchester United fans and we are really proud of what they did yesterday’. It’s about that for them.
“[We have to] enjoy the feeling of playing a game like this, enjoy playing at Old Trafford with a full stadium again, with the fans backing you and just do the best you can to give something back to them.”
Tonight's game could therefore be Fernandes’s sixth appearance against our old rivals, but it will be a first taste of it in the Premier League for manager Erik ten Hag.
Bruno has discussed a particular quality that the new boss has been trying to imprint on the team, that he believes could rub off on United when the game comes around.
“Discipline. Discipline is really important, and what he’s asked us to do, we have to do it,” said the Portuguese playmaker.
“[We have to] follow his principles, follow his rules and that is something that will give us points, give us results. Sooner or later I’m pretty sure we will get the points that we deserve if we are still confident and believe in the process that we have being true.
“We know that everything is new, but we have to follow the process and understand that there will be a moment that this will turn around.”
Bruno has discussed a particular quality that the new boss has been trying to imprint on the team, that he believes could rub off on United when the game comes around.
“Discipline. Discipline is really important, and what he’s asked us to do, we have to do it,” said the Portuguese playmaker.
“[We have to] follow his principles, follow his rules and that is something that will give us points, give us results. Sooner or later I’m pretty sure we will get the points that we deserve if we are still confident and believe in the process that we have being true.
“We know that everything is new, but we have to follow the process and understand that there will be a moment that this will turn around.”
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