Bruno Fernandes critical of ‘lazy’ Manchester United in pre-season draw with Everton

ATLANTA – Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes let rip at his teammates following their 2-2 pre-season draw with fellow English Premier League side 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’ opener was cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye, but a bizarre 75th-minute own goal by Ayden Heaven gifted Everton the draw on Aug 3.

The draw was a slight blemish on the Red Devils’ Premier League Summer Series tour of the United States, after promising victories over West Ham United and Bournemouth in July.

“It’s been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too,” Fernandes told NBC Sports at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“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-ever campaign in the Premier League era last season, finishing 15th in the standings. They are looking to strengthen in the transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – both of whom started against Everton.

“It’s improving. But it’s not the place it needs to be. I don’t want to take a dig at anyone but the club are doing the best they can in terms of the financial situation they talk about,” Fernandes said.

“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’ comments, manager Ruben Amorim told reporters: “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 (training ground) and we are near to start the season.

“We are going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things (better).”

Everton’s James Tarkowski brought down Amad Diallo in the penalty area and Fernandes blasted in the shot from the spot to lift United ahead in the 19th minute.

French-born Senegalese international Ndiaye equalised for the Toffees in the 40th minute, tapping in off a pass from compatriot Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Mount, who entered the field barely 10 minutes earlier, took a pass from Fernandes and curled in a shot past Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 69th minute to put United back in front.

But Everton pulled level in the 75th minute when a ball directed back by Diallo deflected off Heaven and into the back of the United net for an own goal.

Earlier, Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen scored to lift West Ham over Bournemouth 2-0, giving the London side two wins from three matches in the Premier League Summer Series.

Spot-on passes by Senegalese left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed only on July 15, led to both West Ham goals.

“Both goals are down to him – the quality that he’s got, you can see that,” Bowen said of Diouf. “He has only been here a few weeks, but you would think he has been here years.

“He’s humble. He’s a brilliant guy for the group and he’s obviously a brilliant footballer as well. We’re very excited to see what he can continue to do here.”

Diouf’s centred ball found Englishman Bowen in the box, but he was forced to slide a pass left to German teammate Fullkrug, who fired in from point-blank range in the 24th minute.

Bowen found the net in the 67th minute off another Diouf pass.

Bournemouth had plenty of chances in the first 15 minutes, but the Cherries found the woodwork to squander early opportunities.

“What I liked was the character about the group. We didn’t have the best start we wanted, but we stuck in there,” Bowen said. REUTERS, AFP