Bruno Fernandes responds to claims he needs to be rested during Man Utd heroics

Bruno Fernandes has laughed off the suggestion he is tired after a year of single-handedly transforming Manchester United.

Fernandes' stunning free-kick to earn Manchester United an epic 3-2 FA Cup win over arch rivals Liverpool was his 28th goal since joining from Sporting Lisbon for £47million a year ago.

The playmaker has now been involved in 45 goals – scoring 28 and assisting 17 – in 51 appearances, a remarkable stat which underlines his importance to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

After he produced a below-par display – by his high standards – in United's 0-0 draw at Anfield the previous week, it was suggested Fernandes was feeling the strain after a full-on first year in England.

The Portugal international came off the bench to plunder the winner on Sunday, but dismissed any notion he is running out of steam and said he is on a mission to lead United to new glory.

"Tired?” said Fernandes. “At 26-years-old, I can't be tired,” said Fernandes.

“If I'm tired now, when I arrive at 30, 32, I will not play. I will play one game in five so, no, I'm not tired.

"Of course, the coach knows what's better for the team and today he choose to play with Donny, to give some freshness to the team.

"I think it's fair enough, because Donny is training really well, he's been important for us and will be more and more important in the future."

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United are currently top of the Premier League, host West Ham at home in the next round of the FA cup and face Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

It is four years since United last won a trophy, the Europa League under Jose Mourinho, with Fernandes determined to lead them into a new era of silverware.

"I came to the club because I knew it is one that wants to win everything – and my mentality and my way to be in my life and football is about winning,” said Fernandes.

"So you have to be confident. You have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself, and you have to believe.

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"And I will believe until it's not possible anymore, you know? Like when I see someone get the trophy before me then I will have lost my belief.

"I always was like this. I don't like to lose, so I think maybe the mentality is more like I don't like to lose. For me, losing is not normal, so my mentality comes from that.

"Whatever it is, when I was playing with my friends, my brother, with my neighbours, I never wanted to lose.

“I want to win every time, this mentality will be with me for the rest of my life."

Fernandes hailed his 78th-minute winner against Liverpool as one of the biggest moments of his United career.

"I think every goal is a great moment, every win is a great moment for us,” said the Portugal international.

"But personally, of course, scoring the last goal in a game like this against one of the biggest rivals we have is always important.

"But I think the most important moment in Manchester, in the club will come when I get a trophy."

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