It has been a difficult season for everyone connected with at Manchester United, but Bruno Fernandes will still plan to end it on a high by winning the Europa League on Wednesday night.
Thankfully, the 2024/25 campaign is coming to a close. Manchester United are destined to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, after falling short in domestic cup competitions too.
United endured a completely different campaign in Europe after going unbeaten in UEFA’s second-rate competition and reaching the final.
The final against Tottenham takes place on Wednesday night and thousands of United fans have found alternative routes to Bilbao for the big occasion.
After turbulent campaigns in the league, it’s an opportunity for United and Tottenham to secure a place in the Champions League next season.
That would put United in a stronger position to bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad in the summer transfer window. There is a lot at stake in Bilbao.
Photo by Franco Arland - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Franco Arland – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes can match Cristiano Ronaldo goal feat
Bruno Fernandes is a key reason why United are in the Europa League final.
After being voted Manchester United Player of the Year of 2024/25, United fans have shown their appreciation for Fernandes throughout a difficult season.
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Roy Keane believes Fernandes will be the key player in the Europa League final, which could see him match Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal feat from 2007/08 when United beat Chelsea in the Champions League.
Ronaldo scored eight goals in the Champions League that season, including one in the final from a beautiful header in the first half. It was the best tally he managed in European competition as a United player.
With seven goals in the Europa League this season, Fernandes is one goal away from matching Ronaldo’s record – and that goal could prove crucial against Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy has the top two scoring seasons in Europe – 13 (02/03) and 10 (01/02).
Fernandes wants to avoid repeat of 2021 Europa League final
The fact United lost the 2021 Europa League final to Villarreal still hurts.
Fernandes was one of five current United players involved that night and he will be hoping for a completely different result against Tottenham.
It was Fernandes’ first final as a United player and it ended in defeat.
The Portugal international has since won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Old Trafford.
Hopefully, next week brings his third trophy as a United player.