Watch: Bruno Fernandes describes Erik ten Hag’s ‘strict, tough’ style
Bruno Fernandes has given a new interview in which he’s talked at length about his first impressions of Manchester United’s new manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag arrives at Old Trafford with a big job on his hands, inheriting a United side that looked in disarray under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last term. They ended up finishing sixth, having recorded their worst points tally of the Premier League era.
Fernandes has been one of United’s standout players since he was signed from Sporting Lisbon back in January 2019, going on to finish as the club’s top scorer and top assister in his first full campaign as Solskjaer’s Red Devils finished runners-up to Manchester City in the 2020-21 campaign.
But the Portuguese playmaker’s form dipped a little bit last term, with question marks over his ability to play alongside his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s one of a number of United players that will be hoping the new manager can get them back to their best.
Ten Hag arrives at the club with a brilliant reputation, having developed a number of youngsters into world-class players during his time at Ajax. He led the club to three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch cups during his four-and-a-half years in charge, as well as the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19.
“He wants his rules, he demands a lot from us and he wants everyone on the same page doing the same things,” Fernandes told Sky Sports News.
“Everyone knows they have to be pushing to the same side and if not, they will be out of the team. That’s a good thing because if you want to be successful as a team you have to be always in the same way.
“He brings discipline but he also gives players the freedom to make choices. He has his own rules we have to follow, but he also wants to give some responsibility to the older ones.
“He’s strict, he’s tough, but at the same time, he’s a nice and easy guy to chat to.”
So far, the new manager has not been afraid to lay down the law to his players, having raged at David de Gea and Zidane Iqbal from the touchline with words of constructive criticism.
United’s summer tour has been full of positives so far, with a 4-0 victory over Liverpool followed by a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory and a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Fernandes looks to be thriving under the new manager, having put the finishing touch to a wonderfully intricate team move in training yesterday.
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