Bruno Fernandes has admitted that Manchester United needed a reset following the managerial switch that saw Michael Carrick replace Ruben Amorim in January.
Amorim was dismissed with United occupying sixth place in the Premier League, but Carrick has since guided the club to third position after a strong turnaround in form.
The former Sporting CP coach managed just 15 wins in 47 league games, leaving him with the lowest Premier League win percentage of any United manager at 31.9 per cent.
Since Carrick’s appointment, however, United have emerged as one of the division’s strongest sides, recording 11 league victories while only Manchester City have scored more goals during that stretch.
Carrick has also posted the highest points-per-game average in the Premier League this season with 2.25 points from 16 matches.
Speaking after receiving his Footballer of the Year award at the Football Writers’ Awards, Fernandes said the club needed a new direction.
“When the change was made, we were not far from what we wanted [to achieve] this season. That was the top four,” he said.
“At the same time, it was in need of change by the club for different reasons – I won’t be naming them now.”
“Me and the boss [Michael Carrick] spoke before, and we said we can play better, we want to play better.”
“We didn’t achieve the level we want to have, but since he came, the results show we were one of the best teams in the Premier League.”
Fernandes has played a major role in United’s resurgence, registering 15 goal involvements since Carrick’s arrival — the highest in the league during that period.
The Portugal midfielder also praised Carrick’s influence on the squad and his own form.
“Michael came in with a big personality but also with a lot of calmness about what he needed to do to bring the best out of the team, and he did it in the best way,” he added.
“For myself, it was a great end of the season. I got to really enjoy the football I was playing and, most importantly, the team was getting results.”
