Bruno Fernandes had a wish granted by Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Manchester United's last appearance in the Europa League final after opening up about a major regret
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Sport
10:05, 21 May 2025
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United's last appearance in the Europa League final four years ago
(Image: Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA Wire)
Bruno Fernandes admitted to a big regret before Manchester United’s last appearance in the Europa League final, before having a wish granted by Sir Alex Ferguson. United and Tottenham Hotspur go toe-to-toe in Bilbao in Wednesday’s all-or-nothing encounter, with the victor salvaging a soul-crushing season by securing silverware and Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, the loser will be left to reflect on one of the most dire campaigns in their entire history. It’s four years since United last graced the final of UEFA's second-tier competition, when they faced Villarreal in front of a Covid-restricted crowd in Gdansk, Poland.
Ahead of the match, in a fans' Q&A, Fernandes opened up on how he wished he’d had an in-depth chat with Ferguson. He said: “That is one of my biggest regrets in the club until now. I met him already but never had the chance to speak with him like I would like to do.
“I think everyone who watched Manchester United in the past remembers Sir Alex. [That is true] for me, growing up and seeing the club, being a fan of the club and seeing the development of the team.
"I would like to have a conversation with him and understand, from his point of view, what he thinks about me and what I can improve or still improve in my game to be better."
Fernandes then got his audience with Ferguson, who sat down for an in-depth chat with him, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, and Nemanja Matic, who shared a photo of the heartwarming meeting.
Unfortunately, the discussion didn’t have the desired effect as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side turned in a limp display against the Spanish underdogs, losing a marathon penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper David de Gea's saved spot-kick proved decisive after all 20 outfield players had converted their penalties.
As they prepare for another European final, Fernandes says United need to start fighting at the “top of everything” as Ruben Amorim’s side attempt to kickstart their rebuild.
“It’s very important, I think the manager has been very clear with that,” said Fernandes of the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.
“We want to be at the top of everything, not only the Europa League, not only the Premier League. We want to be at the top of the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, everything we are involved [in].
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes will be vital to United's hopes of ending a trying season with silverware
“This club needs to be fighting for everything we have ahead of us, obviously knowing that it’s not always possible to be in the finals, it’s not always possible to be winning trophies.
“But our aim and our goal has to be always to be until the end of the competitions fighting for the possibility of winning trophies and that’s what we want.
“We have a big chance in a competition where our aim since the beginning of the season was being in Bilbao in the final and everything we have to focus on is that we have a big game, a big final and a big opportunity to get silverware.”
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