Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes delivered a stinging assessment of his team’s performance after a 2-2 draw against Everton in the Premier League Summer Series, criticizing his team-mates for being “lazy” off the ball and calling for fresh reinforcements in the transfer window.
United twice surrendered the lead on Sunday despite ultimately lifting the pre-season trophy, leaving Fernandes frustrated with the level of intensity shown by the squad.
Fernandes had opened the scoring in the first half, converting a penalty awarded after James Tarkowski fouled Amad Diallo in the box. However, Everton hit back quickly through Iliman Ndiaye, who capitalized on Idrissa Gueye’s delivery after Vitalii Mykolenko dispossessed Manuel Ugarte.
The Portuguese midfielder did not mince his words when reflecting on the performance.
“Our performance wasn’t the best off the ball, we were a little bit lazy, and we have to avoid that because the laziness you can pay at any moment,” Fernandes told NBC, via The Telegraph.
United’s defensive lapses were punished again in the second half, with Everton equalizing a second time after United had regained the lead. While the draw did not impact their Summer Series triumph, it exposed issues that Fernandes believes must be addressed before the competitive season begins.
Beyond his criticism of the team’s work rate, Fernandes also stressed the importance of bolstering the squad before the transfer window closes. With United seeking to challenge for top honors in the Premier League and Europe, he believes adding quality and competition is vital.
“We needed more competition for the players that were here, more quality to get everyone to step up more 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,” he said.
Fernandes’ comments underline the pressure on United’s recruitment team as they aim to finalize new signings. The Red Devils have already made several moves in the market but continue to be linked with a striker and a midfielder to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Despite the frustrations, Fernandes remains confident that United can build on their pre-season preparations and enter the new campaign with momentum. The captain’s forthright assessment, however, sends a clear message to his team-mates: complacency will not be tolerated, and higher standards are required if they are to compete at the top level.
Manchester United will now shift focus to their final pre-season fixtures before their Premier League opener, where Fernandes will expect a sharper and more disciplined display from the squad. Fans will also be watching closely to see if the club can secure the “one or two” signings their captain believes are essential.
