Manchester United co-owner claims some players are ‘overpaid’, but the club captain defends his teammates.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has responded to co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks that some players are “overpaid”, stating that it is not the players’ fault for the contracts approved by the club.
In a series of media interviews this week, Ratcliffe praised Fernandes but also criticized some members of the United squad, saying they were “not good enough”.
The United captain showcased his leadership by scoring a hat-trick in Thursday’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, securing a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Fernandes stood up for his teammates after Ratcliffe pointed to the signings of Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana as examples of costly deals made before his arrival at the club, which United are still paying for.
“We can’t relax at this club. You know that there’s a big standard, a big attention that you get from the media, from everywhere,” Fernandes said.
“It’s not nice to hear certain things, obviously. I don’t think that any player likes to hear criticism or things that are talked about, like you’re not good enough or you’re overpaid or whatever.
“Everyone has their own contract. The club agrees to the contracts at the time you join or when you renew, and it’s about proving that you can be important for the club.”
The Europa League remains United’s only chance of salvaging what has been a disappointing season so far.
Under Ruben Amorim’s management, the team is currently 13th in the Premier League and has been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions.
Fernandes revealed that he had the opportunity to leave Old Trafford last summer but reiterated his commitment to winning more trophies as captain.
“I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave,” the Portuguese midfielder explained. “We discussed the possibility of me staying or leaving.
“They outlined what they expected from me. I simply asked if they still saw me as part of the club’s future or not. I also spoke with [former manager] Erik ten Hag at the time.
“He was very clear with me, as was the club, that they believed I would be a key part of this rebuilding process. I believed we could achieve success.”
Despite Fernandes’s impressive tally of 15 goals this season as United’s standout player, he has faced criticism from one of his predecessors as club captain.
Roy Keane recently claimed that the 30-year-old was “not a fighter” and suggested that “talent is not enough” in a media appearance.
Fernandes expressed his respect for the former Irish midfielder, who won 13 major trophies at United, and hopes to change Keane’s opinion.
“What I’m doing on the pitch is an effort to change his mind or to do something that he might view positively,” Fernandes added.
Amorim has stated that his side “need more Brunos” if they are to return to their former glories.
Of Fernandes’s 15 goals this season, six have come in the last six games.
“I think he’s incredibly important for this team. You can see it in the numbers, and especially in these recent matches. He’s always the one who scores,” Amorim said.
“When you play for this team, you have to be ready for criticism. I understand that former players achieved great success here, and their standards were so high that they sometimes see things in black and white.
“In life, things aren’t always black and white. There are other colors, and you have to understand the context.
“Again, he’s always there, giving his best, so I’m truly proud to coach a player like him.”
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