Bruno · Fernandes, who is currently playing for Portugal, says at the moment he prefers to play for the national team rather than Manchester United. The 30-year-old Red Devils captain admits the current situation at the club is not very rosy. Ten Hag's side sit 14th in the Premier League table, with just eight points from seven games, their worst start to the Premier League and just two points from the Europa League.
Fernandes were sent off in quick succession against Tottenham and Porto last week and are in a slump of form and have failed to score so far this season. With the ongoing chaos at Old Trafford, Fernandes now see playing for the Portugal national team as a good transition.
"It's not a positive moment at Manchester United. We didn't win the game and the space for the national team was completely different. What is it like to return to Portugal from Manchester United? I feel very comfortable and the atmosphere is good."
He further explained, "I was in my own country, I spoke my own language, and I ate better food. I showed a very high level in the national team and I feel good here and I feel like I can enjoy football at a very high level thanks to the dynamism of our team and the quality of my team-mates around me."
But as Manchester United's captain, Fernandes is also determined to end his goal drought at the club. The 30-year-old Portugal has been a regular goalscorer throughout his career with the Red Devils, scoring 79 goals and providing 70 assists in 244 appearances since joining from Sporting Portugal in January 2020, but has yet to score in any game this season. He admits his performance has been below expectations and will be hoping for a change after this international break.
Scoring goals has been an overall issue for Manchester United this season, with just five goals scored in the Premier League. Marcus Rashford and Garnacho are the joint top scorers in all competitions this season, scoring four goals each, while both have just one in the Premier League. Half of the goals scored by both men came against League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Fernandes still have four assists this season, but he's hungry to score goals soon. "It's not just about the national team, I feel better and better in the national team and I can enjoy my football because I have energy and level around me. At the club, I have to improve as soon as I get there, the goals will come and I have to be responsible for that."
'I hope to improve as soon as I get back to Manchester and score again. Because I'm a midfielder, I score a lot of goals and I've been showing a high level of goals over the years. I have to live up to those expectations and live up to my own standards." He continued, "I have my own standards, and I don't hold back on them. The recent performances are not at all what I want because I haven't scored for the club yet. I hope that once I get back there, I can score goals and help the team get back to winning ways and reach a good level.'
After the international break, Manchester United will face Brentford in the Premier League. Fernandes were able to appeal and the suspension against Tottenham was lifted and he will therefore be eligible to play, although his second red card cannot be appealed, meaning he will not be able to participate in the subsequent Europa League trip to Fenerbahce.
Referring to his two red cards, Fernandes commented: "When I talk about bad moments, I mean being sent off twice in a week, I don't think it's fair but it's part of football and it's gone. I spoke on social media to take responsibility for that moment because I had to play 10 people with my team-mates and try to get the result in a bad situation."