Bruno Fernandes insists Man Utd’s season is positive rather than successful

Bruno Fernandes says this will be a positive campaign rather a successful one for Manchester United even if they win the FA Cup.

Erik ten Hag took over a side in disarray last summer after the disjointed Red Devils stumbled home sixth under interim Ralf Rangnick.

The Dutchman quickly improved the quality and mindset at United, who lifted February’s Carabao Cup and overcame some bumps in the road to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Thursday’s 4-1 win against Chelsea secured a top-four finish with a game to spare and this season could get even better if the beat Manchester City at Wembley on June 3.

Asked if this season counts as a success already or whether it depends on winning the FA Cup, skipper Fernandes said: “No, no.

“It’s a positive season, not successful because successful is different for this club and for us players it has to be too.

“We did win a trophy. We get into the top four. Now we have another final but whatever happened in that final will not change anything about the season we have done.

“One game can’t define a season that has been long with so many games and we’ve been doing really well and we had our moments that we could have done better, obviously, because if not we would be in a better position than we are actually.

“But still we went to win the Carabao, we’re in the final of FA Cup, in Europa League could have been better, but it is what it is.

“Now, we have the chance to finish in the best way at home against Fulham and after we have time to think about City.”

Ten Hag said after beating Chelsea that this had been a “successful season” for United, but he is unlikely to be annoyed by Fernandes’ comments to the contrary.

After all, the 28-year-old is driving standards on and off the field as the 20-time champions look to launch a first sustained title bid since last winning the Premier League a decade ago.

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