Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has recently hit back at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated during an interview this week, some players at the club were "overpaid" and "not good enough". Fernandes admitted hearing such comments was “not nice,” especially after he just scored a hat-trick to help his team secure a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League on March 13, 2025.
Following Ratcliffe's appraisal of inherited players from Ineos, Fernandes became the first player to publicly respond. “It’s not nice to hear certain things obviously,” he remarked. “I don’t think any player likes to hear criticism or things talked about you, stating you’re not good enough or you’re overpaid or whatever.”
The Manchester United team is currently experiencing difficulties, languishing at 14th position in the Premier League standings. Following this, head coach Ruben Amorim has emphasized the need for his "underperforming" players to step up and prove themselves. “We need to prove ourselves every day, every day we have training, every day we have games,” Fernandes said, affirming his commitment to the team’s demands for elevated performance.
Fernandes, who has been integral to United's attacking play — directly contributing to 11 of the last 13 goals— acknowledged the intense scrutiny players face from both the media and former club legends. Former United captain Roy Keane has been particularly vocal, labeling the current squad as “f------ imposters” and criticizing Fernandes for not meeting expectations. Despite the harsh critique, Fernandes expressed nothing but respect for Keane, stating, “Roy Keane was an amazing captain for the club, one of the best ... He has to give his opinion on a programme and this is what he thinks about me.”
The Portuguese midfielder’s impressive form continued with his hat-trick. “Criticism is going to always be part and it’s going to make me grow and understand there’s still a long way to go,” he reflected, showing resilience amid external pressure.
Addressing discussions about what he feels the club needs to be successful, Fernandes stated, “I want to be in the biggest competitions; I want to fight for the big trophies. That’s what I’ve said to the club. That’s what the club said to me.” Although the challenges of transitioning managers and underwhelming performances have emerged, Fernandes remains steadfast. “I’m still very happy at the club... It will always be an honour for me to be at this club and I will try my best to keep the club fighting for everything we can.”
Fernandes also revealed he turned down offers to leave Manchester United last summer, instead opting to sign an extension on his contract. “I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave. They said what they wanted from me,” he explained. “If I haven’t … more to the club, it’s because I don’t deserve it... I’m not different than anyone.” This candidness serves to reinforce his dedication to the club amid challenging times.
Looking forward, Fernandes has positioned himself as not just a player but as the captain desperately wanting to lead his team back to the upper echelons of English football. “I just want to do everything I can to help the club succeed,” he stated, closing the dialogue with optimism for what lies ahead.