Manchester United's captain, Bruno Fernandes, credits a change in mentality for the team's successful start to 2025. United's 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup showcases their newfound determination and resilience.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes attributes the club's promising start to 2025 to a change in mentality. United advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Joshua Zirkzee scored the decisive penalty, securing United's first triumph in north London's red half in six years.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute following Diogo Dalot's second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino, United mounted a heroic defensive display to force a penalty shootout. Similar to their resilience against Liverpool at Anfield just seven days prior, United demonstrated determination to secure a win and keep their FA Cup title hopes alive. Fernandes, who scored during both regulation time and the shootout at the Emirates, believes the passion and desire displayed by the team in their last two matches directly contributed to their improved performances. 'It always helps when you have time to train and prepare for games a little more,' Fernandes told Sky Sports. 'It's important, but I think in these two games it was more about - and the manager said this to us - it's more about the passion, the desire, everything you put into the game in terms of how much you want to win the game. 'I think everyone is really aware of what he wants and what he demands from us, position-wise, tactically, and everything. I think we are now getting to the level that he wants in terms of effort, with running, passion, and desire to win games. 'So I think we still have a lot to improve in both aspects, but we will do it. And I'm pretty sure we are on a good path to do it.' Despite making positive strides, Fernandes acknowledged that head coach Ruben Amorim continues to emphasize the need for his players to be more assertive in the final third. He added: 'The manager has been telling us a lot that we have to score more goals. And that's true because we are a team that has the capability of scoring goals. 'I know we have a lot of young players up front, but we have qualities and we have to score goals because Rasmus is capable of scoring goals. 'Josh is capable, Amad is capable. Garnacho, Rashy, Antony, me, and even the midfielders who sometimes play a bit deeper like Kobbie or Manu or Casa or Christian, they're all players with goals in them.
Manchester United FA Cup Bruno Fernandes Ruben Amorim Arsenal Mentality Resilience Desire Goals
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