Bruno Fernandes eyes Europa League glory after Man Utd clinch third place finish

Bruno Fernandes has targeted Europa League glory after leading Manchester United back to the Champions League.

The midfielder scored in United’s 2-0 win at Leicester on Sunday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sealed third in the Premier League.

It meant they return to Europe’s elite competition next season after a year’s absence and can now focus on trying to win the Europa League.

United lead LASK 5-0 from the first leg of their last 16 tie, and face Istanbul Basaksehir or Copenhagen in the quarter finals as part of a mini tournament due to be played in Germany from the last eight onwards.

Now our focus is on the Europa League because this is a really good trophy and we want to win

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes scored 10 goals after joining from Sporting Lisbon in January to inspire United’s top four return and now he wants silverware.

“Now our focus is on the Europa League because this is a really good trophy and we want to win,” he said.

“I came to Manchester to win trophies. We need to play every game to win. If we go into the Europa League and win every game, we know we’ll win the trophy.

“But we are not happy enough because we know this club and these players, they can bring much more for the club.

“I think we have qualities enough to fight for some titles – more than one title. I think we need to win some trophies and then we’ll be really happy.”

Another #PL game, another #MUFC Man of the Match award for Bruno 👏#MUFC #LEIMUN pic.twitter.com/j3D92lmZKe

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 26, 2020

Fernandes’ penalty and Jesse Lingard’s late goal, after Kasper Schmeichel’s error, sent United into the Champions League at Leicester’s expense on the final day.

“We feel good, it’s what we wanted,” man-of-the-match Fernandes told MUTV. “We trained hard and we worked hard for this moment. We know the only thing we could achieve this season was getting into the Champions League, so we fought hard for that.

“Of course, playing Champions League is always special and I hope it can be with the supporters, that will be more special,

“We deserve to be in the best games, in the best European competition. Nothing against the Europa League, but everyone knows the best competition is the Champions League.”

Leicester finished fifth and qualify for the Europa League after losing a 14-point advantage they held over United in January.

2019/20 ☑

📸 from yesterday's game at King Power Stadium ⤵️

— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 27, 2020

It remains the Foxes’ second highest finish in the Premier League, after their title win in 2016, and Demarai Gray insisted they should still be proud.

“Obviously being so close to the Champions League, that hurts,” the winger told LCFC TV. “All around, it’s been a great season, finishing fifth and (we’ve got) Europa League football to look forward to.

“So it’s disappointing, but overall, I think everyone should be proud of themselves and we’ve got a lot to look forward to next season.

“We pushed to the end because anything can happen. It didn’t happen. It’s just one of those games, which is unfortunate, because there was a lot to play for.

“I don’t think we should be too negative at all. European football for the club is a great achievement.”