Bruno Fernandes feels that the standards at Manchester United have risen and now players who ‘step out of line’ face consequences and will have problems.
The Red Devils get their new Premier League campaign underway on Sunday as they host Arsenal at Old Trafford in the standout fixture of the opening weekend.
It is a huge test for Ruben Amorim’s new-look side as they try to vastly improve on finishing 15th in the top flight last season.
There have been big changes at the club over the summer, with Amorim now boasting an entirely new forward line of Matheus Cunha. Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
There has also been work on outgoings, which continues to be done, as Marcus Rashford has left for Barcelona on loan, while negotiations to get rid of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony ongoing.
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Fernandes feels there has been something of a reset on culture and attitude under Amorim, admitting that standards had slipped and players knew they could get away with not meeting expectations.
He says that is no longer the case and anyone not hitting the heights required under Amorim know they will face the consequences.
‘The atmosphere in the pre-season tour was very good,’ the Red Devils captain told Sky Sports. ‘It was something the team probably needed, also for the ones who just came to the club. I can say that you feel a different atmosphere.
‘We are all in the same path, in the same line. We know what we want from the season, where we have to go. We know the line we have drawn for ourselves and if someone steps out of that line, they’re going to have consequences.
‘I think that’s a very important thing because in the past, we probably thought that even if you step outside the line a bit, you’ll be okay. But now we’ve spoken, not only the manager, but the players have also spoken. We’ve said what is the minimum standard that we need and whoever steps out of this will have problems. Not only with the staff, but also with the teammates.’
Amorim has created as six-player leadership group within his squad, which includes Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Tom Heaton.
Explaining his thinking behind the group earlier this summer, Amorim said: ‘It’s not just Bruno, it’s not just Harry, it’s six guys now. They are responsible for the group. There are some things that in the last year I had to deal with that.
‘I said to them in this year, you deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You are responsible. All these small changes, I think it’s helping the group.
‘We have Bruno, we have Licha, we have Harry, we have Diogo, we have Tom and we have Nous. So it’s not just the oldest ones. Nous is in the group because he’s a character that I like. And I try to understand the dynamic of the group and try to reach every space. They are the guys that are responsible to keep everyone in line.’
Fernandes expanded on this, saying that the six players were picked as they can influence every area of the squad.
‘If you create this group of six players who can get into every small group in the dressing room, because it’s normal to have more bond with some people than others, that will happen not only in football but in life,’ said the Portuguese talisman. ‘So, the way the manager chose the six players is that he knows he can get to every spot in the dressing room to get the best out of everyone.
‘Obviously, everyone in that group has different ways of leading, different ways of dealing with problems. It was something I was doing in the past, but probably it gets to a point where my voice gets a little tiring for them, with always the same one talking. Having another five players with me talking and saying things will make things different.’
Amorim will be without two of his leadership group on the pitch on Sunday, with Mazraoui and Martinez out with injury, the former likely to be back at the end of this month, while the latter will not return until October, most likely.
However, there was better news on the injury front as goalkeeper Andre Onana is available after missing much of pre-season with a hamstring problem and Joshua Zirkzee is also fit.