Bruno Fernandes insists Europa League success is 'not enough' for Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes dreams of more than the Europa League
Bruno Fernandes dreams of more than the Europa League / Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has admitted he would not be satisfied even if his side won the Europa League this year.

United already have one foot in the final thanks to their 6-2 win over Roma in the first leg of their semi-final, so they can already start preparing for a trip to Gdansk, Poland on May 26, where they will meet either Arsenal or Villarreal.

It would be Fernandes' first major honour since joining United in January 2020, and while he confessed he was looking forward to the chance to lift the trophy, he warned his teammates that they should not be satisfied with just winning the Europa League.

"For us, it is a signal of improvement if we win the Europa League, because last season we didn't win anything. So, if we win a trophy this season it is an improvement - but still not enough for us," he said (via Sky Sports News).

"But it is something growing up from the club. From the players, it is a sign that we are doing a little bit better, but we have still a lot to improve on as I said before, and we will improve. Honestly, for me, when you play for a club like this your standard has to be high.

Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has his sights set on bigger things / Michael Regan/Getty Images

"For me, the game against Roma was not my best, but of course on numbers, everyone will say it is the best one I have done because the two goals and two assists - I think was the first time I did it for the club, but of course it was a good game.

"I think also individually I played really well but I want to improve. I want to improve so I have to do maybe next time two assists and two goals, or three goals and two assists to improve again, but the most important for me is the way we win and we are closer to getting the trophy."

It's that competitive streak which has seen Fernandes postpone talks over a new contract with United, who are keen to reward him with a hefty pay rise after proving himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.

Fernandes is more than happy at United and would have no problem committing himself to the Red Devils, but his primary focus is to compete for major silverware like the Champions League - and he wants to be sure he can do that with United before inking an extension that would effectively rule out a move to another big club in future.

The 26-year-old is expected to wait until the end of the season before making his decision, and he may hang on to see United's transfer business as well. They have been tipped to move for the likes of Tottenham's Harry Kane and Sevilla's Jules Kounde, and such big signings would likely convince Fernandes that United are moving in the right direction.


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