Ibrahim Oladamola
Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United have to qualify for the Champions League but “soon these players will be fighting for much bigger things”.
United are one point ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool in the Premier League – having played a game fewer – and in control of their top-four destiny but, after back-to-back defeats, pressure is building on Erik ten Hag’s side.
They need nine points from their remaining four games to be certain of finishing above Liverpool, who have won six games on the bounce to re-enter the battle for Champions League football.
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Fernandes, who has never progressed from the group stage of the Champions League since moving to Old Trafford in 2020, believes United belong in Europe’s elite club competition.
“We want Champions League football,” Fernandes said ahead of Saturday’s visit of Wolves. “This club deserves it, this club has to be in that position.”
United have exceeded expectations in Ten Hag’s first campaign after a disastrous season last time out under interim boss Ralf Rangnick produced the club’s lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League era.
“We know everyone is now saying, ‘Oh Man Utd has been great’, but I remember in the beginning of the season no one put our team in the top six so I think it is a good surprise for them but not for us. We knew that we could be there, we know that we could be even higher in the league.
“We had our moments and that’s why we’re in the position of fighting for the top four and not bigger things. But I think soon, this club, these players will be fighting for much bigger things.”
