Bruno Fernandes gives dim view of Europa League success for Man Utd (2025)

Manchester United are bidding for silverware ahead of their Europa League semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao, but Bruno Fernandes said lifting the trophy would not cover up their dismal campaign

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted winning the Europa League this season "won't save anything" after their dismal campaign. The Red Devils have reached the semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao and will be desperate to secure silverware that would also guarantee them a spot in the Champions League.

The tournament has been a shining light for United in an otherwise painful season that has been their worst in Premier League history. United are currently 14th in the table after losing 15 games, with Ruben Amorim struggling to lift the side following his arrival in October.

United came close to exiting the competition in the quarter-finals after going 4-2 down to Lyon at Old Trafford with just minutes to go - before incredibly netting three goals in the last seven minutes of extra time to claim a dramatic 5-4 win and move into the last four.

But while there should be some excitement about United's chance to add another trophy to their cabinet, Fernandes was downbeat on the prospect as he insisted it won't cover up their failures this season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a reward, I think it will just be successful in terms of the Europa League," the Portuguese midfielder said. "It’s very important to do that, to get the silverware this season. But it won’t save anything.”

United have a tough task in front of them after being drawn against La Liga side Bilbao - who would play in their home stadium if they reached the final, adding an even greater incentive for them against Amorim.

And Fernandes has conceded United are facing a difficult game against a motivated opponent and said they would have to do their homework on the Spanish outfit.

He said: "They have the final at home if they beat us, so it will be really tough. You have to be prepared."

Fernandes has so often been United's saviour this season after carrying the team with 18 goals and 14 assists - which includes five goals and three assists in the Europa League.

But while the 32-year-old has stepped up, he wants the same levels from his team-mates and urged Rasmus Hojlund to keep striving for improvement after he netted a stoppage time equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday.

"Strikers are about scoring goals and we all know that, he knows the responsibility of being the No.9 of United and he has to score goals, that’s the demand of a club like this, not only for him, but for everyone else,” Fernandes told MUTV.

"Everyone that plays here who has the qualities to get into the box to score goals has to do it. Today, it was Rasmus, and everyone is very happy to see a striker scoring and hopefully it’s going to give him a little bit of a push for what’s coming."

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