Bruno Fernandes embarrasses Ruben Amorim with eye-opening Man Utd admission

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has revealed what turned around the Red Devils' fortunes in the Premier League and discussed how the squad's mentality changed

Bruno Fernandes believes that Michael Carrick has helped instill that Manchester United have to be the 'main characters' in every match they play, since replacing Ruben Amorim. The Portugal midfielder believes that attitude is a prerequisite of representing a club the size of the Red Devils.

United have confirmed their place in the Champions League and have been in inspired form under Carrick, marching up the table with 12 wins and three draws in 17 matches. In producing that record, Carrick has become the first English manager, and only the sixth ever, to win eight or more of their opening nine matches in the Premier League.

Fernandes, a star of United's season, believes that United's uptick in form is due to how they have improved as a team and their newfound approach to matches. The 31-year-old believes that it is pivotal if the club want to challenge at the very top.

"This season we can talk about past results and everything that didn't go our way," Fernandes told Gary Neville in an interview. "We improved a lot as a team, we became much better in the way we approach games every time.

"We have to be the main character every time and not think 'let's try to do our best and see what's coming'. We have to be the main character in the game and then we will see.

"Sometimes you're going to struggle, sometimes you won't, but you have to try to be the main character in the game because you play for a big club and play for a huge place. Not where we are at the moment, we want to be in the top four all of the time, that has to be compulsory, but it's the first place that we want."

Fernandes was left confounded over United's issues earlier in the season. The former Sporting CP star believes United were successful in enacting Amorim's plans to restrict their opponent's time in their area, but they simply could not stop conceding important goals.

United's captain believes that impacted the team's morale, and they lost belief the more frequently it happened. "Under Ruben we were always on top of the games but then we were the team that would allow teams the fewest time in our box and at the same time we would be the team that conceded more goals in that period," he explained.

"In our head was like 'how is it possible that we don't allow them to come into our box as often and then when they come we still concede a goal?' It was nothing to do with the defenders or with the goalkeeper, it was the full team. Like, we're so good in moments, let's not let them break into the box and then when they did it we always conceded a goal.

"It always felt like we were doing everything well. We're creating chances, we're not scoring and then all of a sudden they have one chance and they score against us. So the belief of doing everything so well, and everything was always coming down a little bit."

Fernandes defended Amorim's system, however, and believes it was a success, outside of results. Asked if the formation was to blame, Fernandes said: "I don't think so.

"Because, as I said, we were the ones not letting them into our box. So, that means your shape was good. You were defending well, and attacking-wise, we were up there in creations of xG or whatever."