In-form Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes has expressed the belief that Europa League success can fire the Red Devils to Premier League title charge next season.
United secured a third-place finish after defeating Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium on the final day. They will, therefore, be returning to the Champions League which they missed out on last season.
But before doing that, the matter at hand is their semi-final clash against Sevilla, who knocked out fellow English side, Wolves in the quarter-finals.
The match will hold on Sunday in Germany after UEFA decided to host the remaining European clubs’ competition games behind closed doors in a mini-tournament format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final will hold in Cologne, Germany on August 21.
Manchester United had reached the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season and ended up losing them.
Winning Europa will stand United in good stead for Premier League – Fernandes
Fernandes, who arrived from Sporting CP in the January transfer window, said lifting the trophy as they did with Jose Mourinho in 2017 would stand them in good stead for mounting a title charge next season.
“I think we need to keep progressing and we need to start the league with the mentality to win. We know we play for a big club with big aspirations, also the players, we have big aspirations and we need to win some trophies,” Fernandes said.
“Of course, the Premier League is one of the trophies we want to win and I think to win the Europa League would be good for the mentality of winning trophies and fighting with the top clubs. For next season, if we can win this, it will be important.”
Fernandes further reiterated how important it is for the team to lift the trophy next week, saying it’s important for the coach, Ole Gunnar Solaksjaer, having gotten this far.
“For the coach, it will be important and for the players, because I think we’ve done very well until now and I think if we finish with a trophy, it will not be perfect, but it will be a good year for us because Manchester United needs to come back again to win some trophies and fight for the European competitions and also the league,” he explained.
Speaking on the emergence of Mason Greenwood, who has had a remarkable first season in the senior team, Fernandes believes he can do much more. The teenage striker, who came from the club’s academy has scored 17 goals in all competitions.
“I think Mason has done a great season, of course. He’s young and he has great numbers this season. The age is just a number and you see Mason has done very well.
“He can do much more because of the qualities he has and he still has to grow up physically. He did fantastically this season and he will get better.
“He needs to play more and get more confidence from his team-mates and the staff and I think he will get much better because he has that quality.”
