After Manchester United win, manager Owen Hargreaves described his captain as ‘the best player for a country mile’, Bruno Fernandes praised ‘great manager’ Michael Carrick

Carrick guided United into the UEFA Champions League with impressive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, a dramatic late win against Fulham and a 2-0 win against Thomas Frank’s side, losing captain Cristian Romero to a first-half red card for a rough challenge on Casemiro.

There are still games left this weekend, but with victory United move within two points of third-placed Aston Villa.

In an interview with TNT Sports after the win, Fernandes admitted United were not at their best, but said the victory created momentum and suggested there had been a change since Carrick took over.

Fernandes calls Manchester United’s win over Spurs a ‘great finish’

Video credit: TNT Sports

“We had some bad times, but it was still like this,” Fernandes said.

“When you win games, everything looks brighter. This is football. Football changes from game to game.”

The Portuguese midfielder was asked what the new manager brought to the set-up and Fernandes hinted that he had mentored Carrick when he was United’s caretaker manager in 2021, predicting a bright future for Carrick.

“I think Michael went in with the right idea of ​​giving the players the freedom to take responsibility for making the necessary decisions on the pitch,” Fernandes said.

“I think he remembers what I said the last time he was a manager: I think Michael can be a great manager and he’s just shown that.”

“I hope we can help him even more so everyone can see that we are good players. That’s why we are at Man United.”

“I think everyone understands the pressure of playing for this club and everyone knows the expectations around them.

“Michael has won everything here. He knows what it means to the fans and how much it takes to win at this football club.”

“Bruno is the best in the country” – Hargreaves

TNT Sports pundit and former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves praised Fernandes’ attacking intent and the change to United’s midfield of three players instead of two, the approach adopted by Amorim.

“He’s playing at a risk, but the team is benefiting from that risk,” he said.

“I said before that our midfield two were our weakness under Ruben, but those midfield three are really, really good and Bruno is the best player in the country mile.”

“They look very strong as a midfield three.”