Bruno Fernandes: I coached 14-year-old Shea Lacey while getting my coaching license

Ahead of the new Premier League season, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was interviewed by Roger Bennett, host of the Men in Blazers podcast. He reflected on breaking the Premier League's single-season assist record, discussed his excellent performances under Carrick's tactical system, the relationships he's built with new signings and academy players, and how his playing style has changed since joining Manchester United. Below is the second half of the interview.

Related reading: [More assists? Bruno Fernandes: My creativity hasn't changed, the only difference is my teammates' efficient shooting]

More games mean more opportunities for Manchester United's academy players to prove themselves. Two 19-year-olds have attracted widespread attention in pre-season: attacking force Shea Lacey and defender Harry Amass. Who will be Manchester United's breakthrough star this season? Are there any players we haven't discussed yet, but you've seen them performing brilliantly in training?

You mentioned young players, we also have Jack and Tyler Fletcher. Both of them have performed very well and have huge potential. Daniel Amass has also done well. We have many young players with great potential, but we can't overload them immediately. We need to give them time, and they need to play. I believe they can truly meet the demands only when they get opportunities, playing time, and match experience. But at the same time, our squad is very strong, and they have to earn their place in the squad.

I think Shea Lacey has shown a completely different mentality in terms of off-the-ball movement this season. I think that's great, and it's what I talked to him about after returning from vacation, because I watched their three games. He plays in the same position as me, which requires a high level of running and tactical understanding in covering space and assisting teammates in attack, and he has done very well.

His technical ability is unquestionable; he is an extremely talented player with top-class skills. I often joke with him because I coached him when I was taking my coaching badges, and I remember he was in the U14 team then. So, Juan Mata and I basically coached him for a day. I told him he's much better now than he was at 14. He has matured a lot, performs very well, and also does great in training, always fully focused. I think what they need most if they want to be part of the team and play for the team is to treat every training session like a formal match.

You are about to embark on your eighth season in the Premier League. Over the past seven years, you have consistently demonstrated benchmark excellence year after year. How is the Bruno Fernandes sitting in front of me today different from the player who arrived in Manchester in January 2020?

I think it's still the same player, with the same desire to win, the same desire to play, and the same joy for football. Nothing has changed. The only difference is that the me who arrived here in 2020 had just come, and now I've been here for a long time. The goals and standards I set for myself every season remain consistent. I haven't changed, and this doesn't vary based on how long I've been here.

Has nothing really changed? You're 31 years old. We've seen athletes like LeBron and Michael Jordan talk about how, when they reach their 30s, they start to slightly adjust their game and play to different strengths. And you, nothing has changed? Everything is the same?

Yes. I play to the strengths the coach needs me to play to. If one day I can't do that, I'll need to step aside. I think every player needs to understand their timing and situation. Last season was good, but not good enough, because this season has to be better.

What about mentally? What's the secret to staying mentally sharp in your eighth season at Old Trafford?

It's about looking back and seeing everything you've achieved so far. You know how hard it is to get to this point, how hard it is to be a professional footballer, how hard it is to maintain a high level every day. But if you can't maintain that mindset, you can't stay here. For me, it's about doing my best, maintaining my status among the top players. And playing with the top players means playing in the Premier League for Manchester United.

You joined Manchester United on January 30, 2020. Six and a half years later, what's the most Mancunian thing about you?

I would say not much. The only thing is that I now really like going to cafes. To be honest, I used to go in Portugal too, but only for breakfast. Now, at any time of day, I can go for a coffee, which I wasn't used to doing before. I still don't drink English black tea; I can't accept mixing water and milk, sorry, and then adding tea. That's not for me yet. But Tom Heaton always has a cup of tea in his hand at any time of day. However, if he asks me to go for coffee, I always will. Maybe not tea, maybe a cappuccino, maybe another kind, like a latte, I don't know, but not English black tea yet.

A coffee chat with Bruno Fernandes. Out of your 108 assists for Manchester United, which one is your favorite?

I always say the next one, because I always want more, and to do better. But if I have to pick a favorite, I think I'd pick two. I always tend to forget this one: the no-look pass to Marcus Rashford against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. The linesman called it offside, which was a bit disappointing, but then VAR ruled the goal valid. The other one is the assist to Kobbie Mainoo in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, because for the position I play, I think that assist was more about seeing the bigger picture than the technical quality or the pass itself. You have to perceive the space around you, perceive where your teammates are, and discern the right passing lane, the right timing, and the appropriate ball speed. So those two assists were fantastic.

And against Manchester City, right there. I know no one has higher expectations for Bruno Fernandes than Bruno Fernandes himself. So in nine months, if we're sitting here looking back at this season, what do you hope to say Bruno Fernandes has achieved?

Better than last season. In every aspect. Basically, I want to do better in every part of my game. I want to be a better version of myself every year of my career. My goal is always to improve my game and myself as much as possible, because that's the only way I can improve the team and help the team achieve greater success.

You have a long career ahead of you, Bruno. But when you retire, what do you want people to remember about your career? That special achievement? How do you want people to remember you? What kind of player was Bruno Fernandes?

I think what I want most is for people to recognize everything I gave to every club I played for. Wherever it was, I gave my all, and I always did my best mentally and physically. In every game, I fought with all my might. Because for me, that's non-negotiable. In some games, I might perform well or poorly on a technical level, but for me, the fight, the desire to win, the positive running, and the attitude of giving my all for the team and the club in every game must always be a perfect ten. If my technical form isn't good one day, I always know deep down that even if things aren't going well technically, I still have to give everything else just like always. That must always be a perfect ten, because technically, you sometimes just can't be perfect.

Bruno, good luck to you and your team, thank you.

Thank you very much.

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