Bruno Fernandes didn’t hold back in his assessment of Manchester United’s performance following their 2–2 draw with Everton in Atlanta — describing the team as 'a little bit lazy' and highlighting the urgent need for further reinforcements this summer.
United wrapped up their US tour unbeaten and clinched the Premier League Summer Series title at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the captain made it clear he wasn’t satisfied with what he saw on the pitch.
Fernandes was involved in both goals, converting a penalty and assisting Mason Mount, and earned the man-of-the-match award.
Still, his post-match comments struck a much more critical tone, with the Portugal international criticising his side's overall display.
Bruno Fernandes didn’t hold back in his assessment of Manchester United’s performance following their 2–2 draw with Everton in Atlanta — describing the team as 'a little bit lazy' and highlighting the urgent need for further reinforcements this summer
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“Our performance wasn’t the best off the ball,” Fernandes said.
“We were a little bit lazy and we have to avoid that because the laziness you can pay at any moment.”
The midfielder went on to emphasise the importance of strengthening the squad before the season kicks off, pointing to the need for more competition across the team.
“It’s improving. It’s not where we want it to be,” he admitted.
“I don’t want to have a dig at anyone, but I think the club is doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about.
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"I don’t know about it, I’m not involved in that. But obviously it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here.
"We needed more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more, to have to do more to get into the starting XI.
"I think that’s what the club and the manager are trying to do, and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that.”
Fernandes also spoke about the pressure of playing for a club of United’s stature, where every error is magnified both on and off the pitch.
“Every small detail matters,” he said.
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Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty during Man Utd's 2-2 draw with Everton
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“At this football club you can’t do anything wrong on the pitch and off the pitch because it’s too big worldwide and you get punished by that.
"You get the attention of the media and your fans and you have to be aware of that.
"At this club the culture here was winning and we need to bring that back.
"Not only the winning mentality that we need, and I think that’s always been there, but obviously if you don’t win you don’t show it.”
He acknowledged the wider changes happening within the club as well, from upgrades to infrastructure, to staff departures, to increasing demands on fans.
“The club is trying to improve other things,” he added.
“The facilities have improved, we tried to improve the team, the staff, a lot of things.
"A lot of people have suffered from this, a lot of people who had been working at the club for many many years had to go.
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"The fans are paying more for tickets, and we appreciate all the effort they put in for us, so now it’s up to us to pay it back on the pitch.”
United will face Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly on August 9 (12.45pm).
They'll then do battle with Arsenal in their Premier League opener on August 17 (4.30pm).