Bruno Fernandes has hit out at his ‘lazy’ Manchester United teammates following the 2-2 pre-season draw against Everton on Sunday night.
The Red Devils won the Premier League Summer Series tournament – but put in an alarming performance as they twice threw away their lead.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Fernandes, who scored United’s first goal and provided the assist for the second, worryingly admitted that the club still isn’t where it needs to be ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Fernandes: We didn’t want to finish in this way
‘We didn’t want to finish in this way,’ Fernandes said after the friendly against Everton. ‘Our performance wasn’t the best today off the ball.
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‘We looked a bit lazy today and we have to avoid that. It is improving [the club situation] but we are not where this club needs to be.’
Fernandes also played down his clash with Everton star Iliman Ndiaye – and says the pre-season tour of the United States has been worthwhile – with United having won their other two matches against AFC Bournemouth and West Ham, which was enough to land the Summer Series trophy.
‘It’s a game of football, there is always passion there,’ Fernandes added.
‘Whatever happens, happens. There was nothing spicy there, it is normal, it is part of the game
‘It is positive [the United States tour] and it is good to create a bond with the players.’
Amorim calls out Man Utd stars over Ndiaye goal
Meanwhile, speaking in his half-time interview, United head coach Ruben Amorim called out his players for Ndiaye’s goal on 40 minutes.
Manuel Ugarte lost the ball cheaply on the edge of his own penalty area and a cross to the far post found Ndiaye.
Ndiaye had made the run off the back of Fernandes – who fell asleep – and the Everton star applied the finishing touch to find the far corner.
‘When Ugarte has the ball, you can see the defence walking towards the box,’ Amorim told Sky Sports.
‘We need to sprint. When Ugarte loses the ball we need to be at least on the edge of the box. These small details we need to improve.’
United have one more friendly left before the 2025-26 season gets underway as they take on Italian side Fiorentina at home on Saturday.
The Red Devils face Arsenal in their opening match of the new Premier League campaign on August 17, looking to improve on a disastrous season last term as they finished 15th in the top-flight without a trophy.
