Bruno Fernandes reveals DEMANDS he made to Man United chiefs before agreeing to sign a new contract last season... as Portugal star insisted the Red Devils shouldn’t be ‘fighting for fourth’
- Bruno Fernandes has revealed his conversations with Man United higher-ups
- The Portugal midfielder signed a new deal at Old Trafford in April last season
- Prior to doing so, Fernandes wanted assurances over the direction of the club
- He reveals that Erik ten Hag's appointment has helped add 'direction' to United
Bruno Fernandes has revealed that he wanted assurances over the direction of Man United prior to signing a new deal at the club.
The Portugal international put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Old Trafford in April last year, despite the worrying state of the club at the time.
The Red Devils had endured a tough season under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, which led Fernandes to holding talks with Man United chiefs about the future of the club.
![Bruno Fernandes revealed how he needed assurances prior to signing a new deal at United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569487-11634847-image-a-1_1673689523442.jpg)
Bruno Fernandes revealed how he needed assurances prior to signing a new deal at United
![Fernandes claims he spoke with United's football director John Murtough (R) last season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569719-11634847-image-a-19_1673690215836.jpg)
Fernandes claims he spoke with United's football director John Murtough (R) last season
According to the Telegraph, Fernandes sought assurances from football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher and said: 'The club's history demands more than fighting for fourth'
'At that time I said, "I’m on good money but I don’t want a contract without knowing that we have a good future in the club”
'I wanted to know where we are going. Is there a plan here? Is there a future here? I didn’t need to know who the manager was [going to be] but I wanted to know as a club, "Do you think we have a future?“
'"What are your thoughts on where we can go? What does the club want? Does the club want to achieve trophies?" The history of this club, the quality of the players we have – it demands more than just being here and fighting for fourth place.'
Fernandes was only able to help United secure a sixth place finish in the Premier League last season. The Red Devils are already two positions higher this term.
![The midfielder admitted that United had too much history to be 'fighting for fourth'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569495-11634847-image-a-2_1673689605972.jpg)
The midfielder admitted that United had too much history to be 'fighting for fourth'
![The midfielder insists that he feels United have found 'direction' under new boss Erik ten Hag](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569501-11634847-image-a-3_1673689612359.jpg)
The midfielder insists that he feels United have found 'direction' under new boss Erik ten Hag
The Portugal star went on to suggest that the Red Devils have found 'direction' under the watchful gaze of new boss Erik ten Hag.
'Since the club signed Erik ten Hag they have put a direction to the club, that these are the rules we want to follow. The discipline the manager has brought to the club has changed the mentality of the entire club, not only the players.
'Now probably you can see a team that has a way to play that convinces the fans, convinces the players it is the right one and one that can win games.
'You go to every game and the feeling you have now is that we are not afraid to play against anyone. In the past, you could not see that.
'Obviously fans believe and trust but felt that when the toughest games were coming there was a little bit of "Can we do it or not?". But now if you look at the fans, the players, everyone, you feel that we can play face-to-face with everyone at this moment.'
![Fernandes says Ten Hag has helped inspire United to face up against 'everyone at this moment'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569557-11634847-image-a-4_1673689641229.jpg)
Fernandes says Ten Hag has helped inspire United to face up against 'everyone at this moment'
Fernandes will hop that United's belief in themselves can help them in their derby clash with Man City later today.
The Dutch boss confirmed that both Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial would need late fitness tests prior to the lunch-time kick-off.
![The Portugal international arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/14/09/66569485-11634847-image-a-5_1673689648431.jpg)
The Portugal international arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday
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