Fernandes Calls for Focus and Caution Despite Manchester City’s Poor Run of Form
As prepare to face their bitter rivals Manchester City in Sunday’s highly anticipated derby, Bruno Fernandes has issued a stern warning to his teammates not to underestimate their opponents. Despite City’s struggles in recent weeks, Fernandes is adamant that the Red Devils must remain focused on their own performance and not be swayed by their rivals’ poor form.
Heading into the 195th Manchester derby, City are enduring one of the most difficult stretches in recent memory. The defending champions have won just once in their last ten matches, with seven defeats in that period. Their struggles have led to increased pressure on manager Pep Guardiola, who is facing intense scrutiny at the Etihad Stadium. However, Fernandes stressed that Manchester United must not fall into the trap of complacency simply because City are underperforming.
City’s Recent Struggles
Manchester City’s form heading into the derby has been far from what many expected from the reigning Premier League champions. With just one win in their last ten outings, the once-feared City side have faced significant setbacks, including defeats to some of the league’s lesser teams. This poor run has seen them drop points and fall behind in the title race, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around Guardiola’s squad.
The pressure on Guardiola has been mounting, with some suggesting that City’s dominance in English football might be coming to an end. While the team remains packed with talent, their lack of consistency and inability to win games at the expected level have raised questions. In particular, City’s usual attacking force has faltered, and their defensive solidity has been tested.
Despite these issues, Fernandes knows that City’s potential is still immense, and he urged his teammates to avoid any temptation to take them lightly.
Fernandes Focuses on Manchester United’s Own Performance
Bruno Fernandes made it clear that United cannot afford to become complacent based on City’s recent struggles. The Portuguese midfielder emphasized that his team must concentrate solely on their own game and not get caught up in the external narrative surrounding City’s form. He explained that the focus for United must be to take the three points, regardless of who they are playing against.
“It doesn’t change anything for us, how they are in this moment, because we have to think about ourselves,” Fernandes said. “We know it’s City, a huge derby. We know what it means for the fans, and it means a lot for us too, so we just have to go to the game and win without thinking who we have ahead.”
While acknowledging that Manchester City’s struggles might suggest they are vulnerable, Fernandes stressed that their talent and pedigree mean that they should never be underestimated. The United captain reminded his team that City are a club with world-class players, and their form can change quickly, meaning United must be ready for anything.
“We all know that this is a huge game and they have huge players. They’re probably not winning as much as everyone would expect them to do. But it doesn’t matter the momentum they are in,” Fernandes continued. “We have to think about ourselves, what we can do to hurt them to win the game, and that’s all.”
The Importance of Three Points, Not Rivalry
Fernandes also noted that while the derby is an emotional and high-stakes fixture, Manchester United’s primary focus must be on securing the three points. He explained that the result at the Etihad should not be about adding to City’s woes or trying to inflict further misery on their rivals. Instead, the key focus should be on improving United’s own position in the league and continuing their journey toward greater consistency.
“It’s not to get the result at the Etihad, it is to try to win games,” Fernandes insisted. “That’s what we want to improve. Obviously, we play City and we want to win the game. But it doesn’t matter if it was another game, we will try to win in the same way.”
The Manchester United captain’s comments highlight the importance of focusing on the bigger picture. While derby matches are always special and carry extra significance, Fernandes knows that every match in the league counts, and United’s top priority should be to get the points necessary to climb the table.
Addressing United’s Own Inconsistencies
In addition to focusing on the task at hand, Fernandes was also quick to point out that Manchester United themselves have not been playing at the level they expect. While City’s struggles have dominated the headlines, Fernandes acknowledged that United must continue to improve if they are to be successful. He stressed that his team should not focus too much on City’s issues, as United still have their own problems to solve.
“We have to focus on ourselves because we’re not being at the level we want to be also, so we can’t think about the momentum of the others,” Fernandes admitted. “We just have to think about ourselves and do the job we have to do to get in better positions. We need points in the league, so it doesn’t matter who we play against.”
United have faced their own challenges this season, with inconsistent performances and a few setbacks that have left them trailing in the league. Fernandes emphasized the need for improvement, especially in their ability to maintain focus and consistency, which are critical to climbing the standings.
Looking Ahead: A Critical Match
As United prepare for the derby, the pressure is on both teams. While Manchester City are in a difficult patch of form, the stakes of the derby mean that anything can happen. United must be prepared for a tough challenge, regardless of City’s recent struggles.
Bruno Fernandes has made it clear that Manchester United must approach the game with caution, discipline, and an unwavering focus on their own objectives. By doing so, they will give themselves the best chance of coming away from the Etihad with a vital win, further strengthening their position in the league.
