Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has hit back at claims by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe that some players are “overpaid.” Fernandes, who led by example with a hat-trick in Thursday’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, defended his teammates after Ratcliffe singled out the signings of Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana as examples of expensive deals made before he arrived at the club.
“We can’t relax at this club. You know that there’s a big standard, a big attention that you get from the media, from everywhere,” said Fernandes. “It’s not nice to hear certain things, obviously. I don’t think that any player likes to hear criticism or things that are talked about to them, that they’re not good enough or you’re overpaid or whatever.”
Fernandes emphasized that players’ contracts are agreed upon by the club, and it’s up to the players to prove their worth. “Everyone has their own contract. The club agrees to do the contracts at the time you come here or at the time you do a new contract, or whatever, and it’s about yourself, proving that you can be important for the club.”
The Europa League is United’s only hope of salvaging a miserable season so far. Fernandes revealed he had the chance to leave Old Trafford last summer but reiterated his desire to win more trophies as captain. “I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave,” he added. “We talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying. They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not.”
Fernandes has received criticism from former United captain Roy Keane, who claimed the 30-year-old is “not a fighter” and that “talent is not enough.” Fernandes said he “massively respects” Keane and is hoping to change his mind. “What I’m doing on the pitch to try to change his mind or trying to do something that he probably sees as a good thing,” added Fernandes.
*Match Details:*
– _Date:_ March 14, 2025
– _Venue:_ Old Trafford
– _Score:_ Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad