Bruno Fernandes has refuted claims that Manchester United have enjoyed a successful season after they qualified for next season's Champions League on Thursday night.
The Red Devils needed just a point to edge out Liverpool in the race for the final top-four spot ahead of their meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford. And Erik ten Hag 's side finished the job in style with a 4-1 victory courtesy of goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
After inheriting a club in turmoil back in the summer, securing a return to Europe's elite competition will please Ten Hag, who has got United back on track during his maiden season in charge.
However, Fernandes made it clear that Manchester United's campaign cannot be considered a success - even though they also won the Carabao Cup back in February and are in next week's FA Cup final.
When he was asked if the season had been a success, Fernandes explained: “No. It's a positive season, but not successful, because success is different for this club and for us players it has to be, too. As players we're not happy just to get into the top four. We want more, we aim for more, because we believe in this team that there are enough qualities to go forward.
“We did win a trophy. We did get into the top four. Now we have another final, but whatever happens in that final will not change anything about the season.
“One game can't define a season that has been long, with so many games. We've been doing really well and had our moments where we could have done better. But still we won the Carabao Cup, we're in the final of the FA Cup, in Europa League it could have been better, but it is what it is.”
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Fernandes' verdict is similar to comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo back in January 2022. The Portuguese veteran, who left United midway through the 2022/23 campaign, insisted that a club like Manchester United cannot be satisfied with achieving anything below a top-three finish.
Ronaldo said previously: “I don't accept that our mentality be less than being in the top three in the Premier League. I think to build up good things, sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So why not - new year, new life and I hope that Manchester can be the level that the fans want. They deserve that.
“We are capable of changing things now. I know the way but I'm not going to mention it here because I don't think it's ethical on my part to say that. What I can say is we can do better - all of us. Manchester belongs to important things, so we have to change that. I don't want to be here to be in sixth place, or seventh place, or fifth place. I'm here to try to win, to compete.
“I think we compete but we are not yet in our best level. But we have a long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things.”
