United skipper leads the charge

Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's shining light in what has been a pretty bleak season. Now, he has one more task — to drag it over the line in the Europa League final.

United's captain was last week named the fans' player of the year for a record-equaling fourth time, pulling level with Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea.

He also scooped the players' player of the year award for the first time in his United career, which now spans five-and-a-half years.

In truth, there were not many candidates for the awards at Old Trafford, especially as exciting winger Amad Diallo missed a chunk of the campaign with an injury.

United will finish in its lowest league position since it was relegated in 1974, after plumbing scarcely believable depths for a club that dominated the first two decades of the Premier League.

But Fernandes has the chance to lead the team to Europa League glory in Bilbao on Wednesday against fellow Premier League struggler Tottenham.

That would be his third trophy in the past three seasons, following a League Cup win and an FA Cup triumph, both of which took place under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Fernandes, despite United's struggles, continues to return remarkable figures week after week.

He has racked up 38 goal involvements (19 goals and 19 assists) across 55 games this season, his second-best season tally since being brought to Old Trafford by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

'Expectations'

The midfielder says that he pushes himself hard to maintain his high standards.

"I just always put my expectations higher than whatever people expect from me, so, every season, I put new targets on myself, I identify new things that I want to improve, to get better, to do better," he told TNT Sports.

"Obviously, next level for this club is winning trophies, and this is what I want the most."

The former Sporting Lisbon player has shown a particular liking for Europe this season.

He is the joint top scorer in the Europa League with seven goals, and has been a pivotal figure during the knockout rounds, scoring a last-16 hat-trick at Old Trafford to see off Real Sociedad and a double against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semifinals.

Few doubt the extent of his talents — his rare vision and ability to find an opponent.

But, his leadership of the club has attracted criticism, even among former players.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has previously criticized Fernandes's "petulance", while former captain Roy Keane earlier this year branded him "not a fighter".

"Bruno's a talented player, but talent's not enough," said Keane.

United boss Ruben Amorim, though, is in no doubt about the value of his compatriot, who has been a rare bright spark during what has been a gloomy first season in the hot seat.

"I think it is easy to understand (his importance), not just because of the numbers, but the way he plays, the importance that he has during his five years here," said Amorim.

"He is a top player, and we need top players. He is a leader, he's the captain, so he's really important."

Winning the Europa League would take United back into the Champions League and give Fernandes a stage fitting for his impressive talents.

But, he wants more, and he knows a club of United's stature craves that, too.

"At United you don't want to be in the top four, you want to win the Premier League, and that's the aim, and we can't hide from that," Fernandes said.

"It's the history of the club, and it has to be the present and the future of this club, always fighting for that trophy."

AFP