Credit: Man Utd
Bruno Fernandes has revealed the details of an emotional dressing room speech he made in front of the Manchester United squad before their win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United ended their dreadful 2024/25 season on a high note with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at a sun-soaked Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s side started strongly, creating several early chances but failing to finish. Villa’s hopes took a major hit just before half-time when Emiliano Martínez was sent off for a reckless foul on Rasmus Højlund.
United dominated after the break, but Villa thought they had scored through Morgan Rogers—only for the referee to blow for a foul on goalkeeper Altay Bayındır moments earlier. Replays showed Bayındır didn’t have full control, but VAR couldn’t intervene as the whistle had already gone.
Minutes later, Amad headed in from a Bruno Fernandes cross to break the deadlock, before Christian Eriksen marked his Old Trafford farewell with a late penalty—ending Villa’s Champions League hopes in the process.
Fernandes reveals United dressing room speech
United went from a dreadful showing in Bilbao during the Europa League final to a full Old Trafford stadium cheering them on. Some would say they don’t deserve such support.
“It’s not even just about Bilbao, it was about the full season,” Fernandes told TNT Sports when asked if he wanted to give the fans something to celebrate after the defeat in Spain. “It’s been very disappointing for everyone, but for the fans in the first place.”
Fernandes explained that he spoke in front of his United teammates before the game, saying how ‘special’ being at the club is and the Old Trafford atmosphere proved his point perfectly.
The club captain added: “That’s what I tried to transmit in the [dressing room] before the game for my players, I was like, ‘just look around, just look how special this place is, how lucky we are to be here’.
"Look around, look how special it is, how lucky we are to be here" 🤩
Bruno Fernandes speaks to @julesbreach after his side's 2-0 win, on the disappointing season, and the departure of Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen & Victor Lindelof. pic.twitter.com/u7GPWjIZPO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
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“We had the full stadium today after a disappointing season, after disappointing [them on] Wednesday, they were again here trying to lift us up, trying to be positive, giving a lot of energy to the team.
“For us, it was just trying to give a different image in this last game of the season. Obviously, you play with a little bit more freedom, you have no pressure because the position in the league wouldn’t change much.
“I think everyone plays brilliant game, very comfortable on the ball, very brave off the ball and I think this is a brilliant response but we have to bring this for the next season.”
United have good start to crucial few months
United’s supporters have been tested this year more than they have in any recent campaigns. The older gentleman are the only ones who remember a season worse than this one.
Hopefully, hitting what many would consider to be rock bottom is the way that United finally end up getting back to where they are supposed to be.
Read More: Manchester United star’s agent ‘calls Real Madrid’ to ask for summer transfer, what Ruben Amorim said is telling
The squad needs to be stripped down, with major changes in the transfer window to support Amorim ahead of next term.
With several players confirmed to be leaving and the Matheus Cunha deal wrapped up before the window has opened, it is a good start from United.
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