Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TIRED? I’M 26
Fernandes laughs off the notion and warns he has energy to lift trophies
BRUNO FERNANDES has laughed off suggestions he’s running out of steam after a year of single-handedly transforming Manchester United.
Fernandes’ stunning free-kick to earn an epic FA Cup win over Liverpool was his 28th goal since joining from Sporting Lisbon for £47m a year ago.
The playmaker has now been involved in 45 goals – scoring 28 and assisting 17 – in just 51 appearances, a remarkable stat which underlines his importance to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
After he produced a below-par display in United’s goalless draw at Anfield the previous week, it was suggested Fernandes was feeling the strain after a full-on first year in
England. The Portugal international came off the bench to plunder the winner on Sunday but dismissed any notion he’s tired and remains on a mission to lead United to new glory.
“Tired?” said Fernandes.
“At 26-years-old, I can’t be tired,” said Fernandes.
“If I’m tired now, when I arrive at 30, 32, I will not play. I will play one game in five so, no, I’m not tired.
“Of course, the coach knows what’s better for the team and he chose to play with
Donny, to give some freshness to the team.
“I think it’s fair enough, because Donny is training really well, he’s been important for us and will be more and more important in the future.” United are top of the Premier League, host West Ham at home in the next round of the FA Cup and face Real Sociedad in the Europa League. It is four years since United last won a trophy, the Europa League under Jose Mourinho, with Fernandes determined to lead them into a new era of silverware. “I came to the club because I knew it is one that wants to win everything.
“My mentality and my way to be in my life and football is about winning,” said Fernandes. “So you have to be confident. You have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself, and you have to believe.
“And I will believe until it’s not possible anymore, you know?
“Like when I see someone get the trophy before me then I will have lost my belief.
“I always was like this. I don’t like to lose, so I think maybe the mentality is more like I don’t like to lose. For me, losing is not normal, so my mentality comes from that.
“Whatever it is, when I was playing with my friends, my brother, with my neighbours, I never wanted to lose.
“I want to win every time, this mentality will be with me for the rest of my life.”
‘If I’m tired now, when I get to 32, I will play one game in five so, no, I’m not tired’