Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, let rip at his teammates after their 2-2 pre-season draw with Everton, saying their performance was “lazy” and calling for further reinforcements.
A second-half goal from Mason Mount had United on course for victory in Atlanta, Georgia, after Fernandes’s opener was cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye, but a bizarre 75th-minute own goal by Ayden Heaven gifted Everton the draw.
The result put a slight damper on United’s tour of the US, after promising victories over West Ham United and Bournemouth.
“It’s been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too,” Fernandes told NBC Sports. “We didn’t want to finish in this way. Our performance wasn’t the best and we were a little bit lazy today. We want to avoid that because with laziness you can pay at any moment.”
United had their worst Premier League campaign last season, finishing 15th, and have signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – both of whom started against Everton.
“It’s improving,” Fernandes said. “But it’s not the place it needs to be. I don’t want to take a dig at anyone but the club is doing the best they can in terms of the financial situation they talk about.
“But it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here, more quality to get everyone to step up a little more to get to the XI, and I think that is what the club are trying to do. Hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that.”
Asked about Fernandes’s comments, Ruben Amorim said: “I think I’m happy for the players to have that feeling. It’s saying that they understand the situation. So, it’s a good feeling.
“I think the momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling, and then we go back to Carrington and we are near to start the season. We are going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things [better].”
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The manager said during the US tour that he hoped to be with the club for two decades. “I want to stay 20 [years]. That is my goal. I truly believe in that.”
Amorim said he had a positive relationship with the co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who heads the football operation. “It’s really easy to deal with Jim. If you know your stuff, how to explain any decision, you’ll be fine. I know he’s the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I’m really direct. I think it’s something he likes a lot.”
