Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes insisted the players had high expectations of themselves heading into the Carabao Cup Final.
Fernandes donned the armband, leading the Red Devils into battle at the home of football in a 2-0 triumph over Newcastle United yesterday.
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And Erik ten Hag’s side lived up to the bill as they secured a comfortable victory over the Magpies.
“I’ve been searching for this moment for so long,” Fernandes said. “Winning a trophy for this Club is something amazing.
“We wanted it so much. Independent of whatever trophy it is, it’s always important for this Club. It demands to be in positions like this, having the chance to win trophies.
“We did it against a tough opponent and we did really well. It was really difficult to play against them but we wanted to bring the trophy home.”
With the first silverware of the season up for grabs under their belt, Fernandes explained how Sunday’s triumph will give them a boost later down the line.
“It gives confidence,” he said. ‘We are in a good position for winning more trophies. We have to keep doing as a team what we’ve been doing and we’ll get more joy. We want more, the same as the fans.
“They’ve been with us through really difficult moments and they deserve to be with us. In the difficult moments, they’ve been supporting us so it’s time for them to have them some joy too. We’re thankful for all the support – the ones that were here, the ones at home and the ones worldwide.”
That sentiment was echoed by his teammates too. Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst lifted a trophy with the Club just over a month after putting pen to paper on a temporary deal.
🤳 That winning feeling! #EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/n1f4u6ceYw
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 26, 2023
“When I came, we’d already qualified for the Semi-Final so I knew, especially for this trophy, we had a good chance to win it,” he noted. “It’s a childhood dream. It’s an honour to wear this colour for this amazing Club.
“There are now three trophies left and the first one is there. We have to take a moment because it’s special.”