Bruno Fernandes tells Man Utd teammate he has to 'improve' and deal with 'expectation'

Bruno Fernandes has called on striker Rasmus Hojlund to embrace the intense pressure of playing for the club, emphasizing the need for constant improvement following a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.

The late equalizer, scored by Hojlund, salvaged a point for United, but Fernandes’s comments reflect the lofty standards expected of the young Danish forward as the team grapples with a disappointing 14th-place standing in the Premier League.

The match at the Vitality Stadium saw United struggle, falling behind to Antoine Semenyo’s 23rd-minute strike after a defensive error.

Despite controlling 60% of possession, United’s attack, led by Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Fernandes, lacked precision, with missed chances piling pressure.

A VAR-overturned red card to Bournemouth’s Evanilson gave United a numerical advantage, and Hojlund capitalized in the 96th minute, converting a Fernandes flick to secure a draw. The result, while avoiding a record 16th league loss, left United fans frustrated, with boos ringing out.

Post-match, Fernandes addressed Hojlund’s role, telling Sky Sports, “He knows how much he needs to score goals at this club. If you want to be at a big club like Manchester United, you need to improve every time you step onto the pitch, but it’s not only up to him. Expectations on him are very high, and he has to deal with that.”

Fernandes’s words underscore the burden on Hojlund, who has seven goals this season but has struggled for consistency in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, especially with Joshua Zirkzee sidelined by injury.

Pundits critiqued United’s performance, with Hojlund’s mixed display drawing attention. Simon Stone of BBC Sport called United’s effort “terrible,” noting their failure to exploit Bournemouth’s 10 men, with Hojlund’s late goal masking earlier wastefulness.

Michael Brown, on BBC Radio 5 Live, praised Hojlund’s resilience but criticized United’s lack of cohesion, stating, “They were all over the place.” Mark Critchley in The Athletic highlighted United’s set-piece frailties—conceding 11 goals from corners—placing added pressure on Hojlund to deliver in open play.

Fan reactions on X were polarized. @UtdDistrict shared Fernandes’s comments, emphasizing Hojlund’s need to “deal” with pressure, while @Ankaman616  lauded his “crucial” goal but noted his struggles in duels.

@SkySportsPL quoted a fan labeling this “the worst United team” in memory, reflecting broader discontent, though some, like @iambolar, praised Hojlund’s clutch moment: “What a goal.” Critics argue Hojlund, at 22, needs time, while others echo Fernandes’s call for immediate improvement given United’s stature.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 relies on Hojlund as the focal point, supported by attacking midfielders like Fernandes and Garnacho.

However, United’s 13 goalless games this season—second only to Leicester and Everton—highlight the system’s attacking struggles, exacerbated by the loans of Marcus Rashford and Antony.

Amorim, per NBC Sports, admitted post-match, “We need to do better,” signaling tactical tweaks ahead of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. United’s pursuit of strikers like Victor Osimhen and Matheus Cunha suggests Hojlund faces competition, with Profitability and Sustainability Rules necessitating sales to fund transfers.

Critically, Fernandes’s remarks balance support and pressure, reflecting his leadership amid a turbulent season. While Hojlund’s 96th-minute goal showed promise, his modest tally compared to Bournemouth’s Semenyo (nine goals) fuels debate about his readiness.

Amorim’s focus on the Europa League, as noted in United In Focus, may ease immediate pressure, but Fernandes’s challenge underscores the expectation for Hojlund to elevate United’s attack.

Fernandes’s call for Hojlund to “improve every time” sets a high bar as United navigate their worst Premier League campaign in decades. With five league games left and a potential £100 million Europa League windfall at stake, Hojlund’s ability to meet these expectations could define his United future and Amorim’s rebuilding project.