Bruno Fernandes sends message to Manchester United doubters after slump in form

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Bruno Fernandes has predicted 'much bigger things' from his Manchester United side as he recalled how the team's doubters weren't even backing them for a top-six spot at the beginning of the season.

United have been in the driving seat for Champions League qualification for much of the campaign, but consecutive defeats by Brighton and West Ham have allowed a resurgent Liverpool to make up ground.

Jurgen Klopp's side have won their last five and are now just a point off the Reds, having played a game more. Erik ten Hag's side have four games to secure their place in next season's flagship European competition, which would make the season a resounding success following the Carabao Cup win and an FA Cup final on the horizon.

Victims of their own success, progression into the latter stages of all competitions has meant an unrelenting schedule, with this period between West Ham and Wolves the first five-day break since Christmas. ALSO READ: United have two leaders who can save their season, starting against Wolves They will end the season having played 62 games in total, but while fatigue looks to be affecting the players, Fernandes insists the squad are still fighting and expects them to go further in the future. "We have such a great team that has been doing a great job this season when no one thought United could be fighting for the top four," Fernandes told Sky Sports. "Now everyone is thinking that United has been great but I remember at the beginning of the season, no one put our team in the top six. "It’s a good surprise for them, but not for us because we knew we could be there, we knew we could be even higher in the league but we had our moments and that's we’re still in the position of fighting for top four and