‘I am perfectly aware’: Fernandes writes off United as title contenders after three matches, says top-four is the aim

Bruno Fernandes has already written Manchester United out of any potential title race after just three Premier League matches.

While, of course, he’s likely just confirming what everyone is already thinking, fans would perhaps prefer to see their club captain set the bar as high as possible. If he doesn’t believe they can do it, why would anyone else in the squad?

It comes after the Red Devils sustained two straight defeats at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool, the latter of which saw them comfortably overturned 3-0 on home soil. As a result, they enter the international break in 14th place.

The glass-half-full section of the fanbase will reiterate that it’s early doors in the season, which is all good and well if you believe that Erik ten Hag has it in him to implement a dynamic and coherent style of play in the coming weeks – and then you’d have to question why he hasn’t been able to do so in the two years of his tenure already.

Read more: Erik ten Hag saw transfer plea for midfield ‘engine’ rebuffed by INEOS chiefs, he’s now joined another club

Fernandes’ bleak Premier League admission

Nonetheless, Fernandes conceded that ending an already 11-year wait for the title won’t be happening when 2024/2025 draws to a close.

“Yes, I am perfectly aware that this Manchester United is not ready to win the Premier League,” the midfielder told DAZN Portugal, as cited by Goal. “We are, indeed, fighting for the title with the concrete and real objective of trying to finish in the top four, in the places that give access to the Champions League.”