Manchester United's Fernandes backs manager's strict timekeeping
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 [July 21, 2022] (Reuters)
- Manchester United midfielder Bruno
Fernandes welcomed new manager Erik Ten Hag's uncompromising
attitude towards punctuality, saying the Premier League club had
lacked discipline prior to the Dutchman's arrival.
Ten Hag was appointed manager of the Manchester club in April,
replacing interim coach Ralf Rangnick, and Fernandes said he was
pushing United's players to improve their timekeeping from the
outset.
"We missed that for a while and discipline is important," Fernandes
told reporters on Wednesday. "Discipline is not only the way you
play, the position that you have, what you have to do; it's also off
the pitch.
"Don't be late for the meetings. Don't be late for the meals. That's
really important, because if everyone is on time and someone comes
late, he should be punished.
"That's really good that he's doing that (fining players for being
late) and amazing, because I like to be on time, so I won't have
problems with that."
Fernandes added that he was not sure of his United and Portugal team
mate Cristiano Ronaldo's future, which has become the subject of
intense speculation in recent weeks.
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Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes reacts Action Images via
Reuters/Matthew Childs
Ronaldo, 37, has reportedly told the club he wants
to leave to play Champions League football, and did not join the
squad for the pre-season tour starting in Thailand, citing family
issues.
"I don't know what Cristiano said to the club, to the manager, but
we have to respect his space," Fernandes said.
"Cristiano was our top scorer last season; he added goals. But it's
not on me; it's the club that has to make the choices and Cristiano
makes his own. I don't know what's going on in his head, if he wants
to leave."
United, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season, open
the new league campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 7.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Bradley Perrett)
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