Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on his intense training floor clashes with a former member of the membership
Bruno Fernandes has opened up in regards to the fights he as soon as had with ex-Man United coach Mitchell van der Gaag in training(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United through Getty Images)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is not one for taking it easy on the training pitch. And his relentless depth would ceaselessly spark “fights” with former coach Mitchell van der Gaag.
Dutch tactician Van der Gaag was a part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom employees following their shared time at Ajax. Yet he would repeatedly conflict with United’s skipper over trivial issues throughout training periods.
While different senior figures is perhaps tempted to let sure issues go, Fernandes finds himself unable to take action. Not purely for his personal profit, although, as he demonstrated a transparent understanding of how his behaviour influences the remainder of the dressing room.
“I had a lot of fights with him about [calling offsides in training],” he instructed The Telegraph. “People already understood that, it’s not in a mean way, I just want to win. If I don’t put that into training, if I’m not that guy, the other ones will probably drop a bit the intensity.
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“I do know sure gamers, they take a look at me and have to see me alive to know that I’m within the recreation. Sometimes I must be that man that places the power, that shouts, that does issues for the opposite ones to turn into higher as a result of I can do this and nonetheless focus.”
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That dedication to the captain’s armband demonstrates Fernandes’ intensity and winning mentality. Yet it also reveals the lighter side of a figure who has been instrumental in guiding United through some turbulent periods in recent years.
There have been no shortage of those in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. And while pundits have demanded leaders to step forward and take responsibility at Old Trafford during that spell, Fernandes has been more than willing to make his presence felt.
Van der Gaag departed United in July 2024 to hunt a extra senior managerial position elsewhere. It wasn’t till almost a yr later that he took cost at Zurich, a publish he occupied for just below six months.
His timing in leaving Old Trafford proved fortuitous given Ten Hag was sacked only a few months after his own exit. Van der Gaag truly managed United himself on one event in November 2023, guiding the aspect to a 3-0 victory at Everton whereas Ten Hag served a suspension.
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Whatever management strategy Fernandes has adopted at United so far, it appears to be yielding outcomes. The Portugal midfielder has rediscovered his best type below Michael Carrick and will break the document for Premier League assists in a single season.
He currently boasts 17 this campaign, seven ahead of any other player. He requires just four more from the remaining six fixtures to surpass the record jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry (20).
What is beyond doubt is he’ll be grafting hard on the training pitch to make it a reality. And every indication suggests it’s far more preferable to have Fernandes as an ally rather than an opponent, even when the stakes are low.
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