As Ferguson ponders his long-term vision, Bruno Fernandes has spoken openly about his own crossroads at Old Trafford. The United captain revealed he had two real chances to leave the club in recent years, but ultimately chose to stay, despite admitting his time in Manchester had not produced the level of silverware he would have liked. For Fernandes, belief in the club’s ambitions proved decisive. He confirmed that assurances from management about returning United’s status convinced him to reject offers from elsewhere. The Portugal international remains confident that silverware is still within reach, although the road is far from easy.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said: “Obviously, when I talk about going and winning trophies, I stay here because I think I can still win trophies here. I wouldn’t stay here if the club didn’t tell me that our aim is still to reach as high as possible, get back to winning trophies, get back to being the club we were before.
“Because if that wasn’t the goal, then, yeah, I wouldn’t still be here. However [ini] because I know the club’s goal is still to get back to where they want to be, and where I want the club to be, and that’s the reason I came to this club in the first place. So, if I can help get back there, that’s all I want to do.”
United’s dramatic draw with Bournemouth showed both the progress and the shortcomings that remain, leaving the team in sixth place in the table. They are no longer in Europe this season and have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, narrowing their path to silverware. The FA Cup now represents their most realistic chance of silverware, with a January clash against Brighton to come.
