Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hails ‘really important’ Bruno Fernandes

NEW JERSEY – Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim heaped praise on captain Bruno Fernandes, after the midfielder scored twice in a 2-1 pre-season win over fellow English Premier League club West Ham United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 26.

The Portuguese star, who scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season and won the club’s Player of the Year award, was linked with a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

However, the 30-year-old said in June that he had considered the move but ultimately turned it down to keep playing at the highest level.

Asked about Fernandes’ importance to the team, Amorim told reporters after the win: “It was so clear last season, you can see it with the goals and assists. But it’s not just that.

“I think now he has more players, I feel, to help him to lead the group and that is a good thing.

“He is our leader and really important, not just on the field but off the field. He leads by example.

“Sometimes, the problem is he gets frustrated and loses a little bit of focus of his job.

“Sometimes, he wants to help the teammates so much, it is not the best thing to do.

“They have to do their job and Bruno has, for example, to wait for the ball.”

United have signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo so far in the transfer window, with Amorim saying the signings would take some of the pressure off Fernandes in attack.

“Last year, I felt sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and we miss Bruno near the box,” Amorim added.

“With different characteristics from Bryan (Mbeumo) and Matheus Cunha – and I really like Kobbie Mainoo’s game – he (Fernandes) will have more help this season.”

Fernandes punished two blunders by West Ham’s France international goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to seal victory in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium.

Areola was at fault for both of United’s goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 20-time English top-flight champions.

Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, calmly sending Areola the wrong way after the Frenchman had needlessly shoved Ayden Heaven to the ground after losing possession.

Fernandes doubled United’s lead in the 52nd minute with a clever finish after another howler from Areola, whose sloppy pass out from the back went straight to Mainoo on the edge of the area.

Mainoo slipped a pass to Fernandes, who then coolly lifted a finish over the stranded Areola to put United in control.

Bowen’s clever finish in the 63rd minute reduced the deficit and the England forward forced a good save from Altay Bayindir in injury time, but United held on.

“It’s good to win, even being a friendly – we want to get every game to prepare ourselves in the best way and obviously go into the season in a positive way,” Fernandes told NBC Sports after the victory.

“Overall the game was good, we were very good on the ball.

“In some moments, we could have done longer possessions and we rushed it a little bit. We have to work on that... but I think overall it was a very good game for us.”

Hammers boss Graham Potter, meanwhile, offered no details after reports emerged that key midfielder Lucas Paqueta is expected to be cleared of spot-fixing charges after a two-year Football Association probe.

“I don’t know anything. I just know we have to support him,” said Potter.

“He has been through a long ordeal. He is a big personality in the group.”

Earlier, Bournemouth cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in their Premier League Summer Series opener on July 26 at the same venue.

Goals from Philip Billing, Dango Ouattara and Daniel Adu-Adjei sealed a comfortable win for Andoni Iraola’s side. REUTERS, AFP