Bruno Fernandes reveals he and team-mate Paul Pogba are desperate for Champions League football

Bruno Fernandes has outlined his desire for Manchester United to have the chance to prove their quality in the Champions League next season, and says his team-mate Paul Pogba has the same ambition.

United go into Friday’s game away to Tottenham in fifth place in the Premier League, three points adrift of a Champions League spot.

Fernandes, who produced some outstanding performances following his January move from Sporting Lisbon, is eager for United to re-establish themselves as one of the standout sides in Europe.

Bruno Fernandes stressed his desire for Manchester United to play in the Champions League

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Fernandes said: ‘Paul’s [Pogba] ambitions are the same as mine now: to help the club reach the Champions League so that, next season, we can show our quality in what is the most desired club competition in Europe.’

Fernandes also spoke about how he was familiar with Pogba from playing against him in Italy – Fernandes previously played for Udinese when Pogba was at Juventus.

Fernandes is hugely familiar with Paul Pogba as they played against eachother when in Italy

Fernandes said: ‘It’s been good. I already knew Paul from Italy, from playing against each other, we had already spoken a few times in Italy. 

‘Obviously training with him and training with great players always makes our game easier, because when we have players with the ability to help us grow, it helps us to be better. It helps to adapt each one to the teammate’s game. 

‘And that’s what I have to try to do. Mainly because Paul was one of the few that I didn’t have the opportunity to train with. Him and Rashford.’

Fernandes praised Portgual team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who encouraged him to join United

Fernandes also spoke highly of his Portugal team-mate and former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who praised the midfielder and encouraged him to make the switch to Old Trafford. 

Fernandes said: ‘Cristiano [Ronaldo] had an active voice when asked about the possibility of me coming to play here. He praised me, as far as I know. That is what Mister Solskjær says.

‘Cristiano recently sent me a message asking if I was OK, if my adaptation was going well and everything. He is a person that I consider a lot.’