Bruno Fernandes has warned his Manchester United teammates they cannot use ‘tiredness’ as an excuse for their faltering form ahead of four vital fixtures that will determine their Champions League fate.

The Red Devils’ marathon campaign is drawing to a close and Erik ten Hag’s maiden season at the helm will go down as a major success if his faltering side secures a top four spot and a domestic cup double.

United have already played 57 games in all competitions this term and, according to ESPN, Ten Hag fears the hectic schedule, allied to the winter World Cup, is catching up with his squad.

Certainly the last two performances and consecutive 1-0 defeats against Brighton and West Ham have given significant cause for concern, especially given Liverpool’s recent renaissance.

The resurgent Reds have drawn to within one point of their great rivals, albeit having played a game more, on the back of six successive victories.

Three of United’s final four Premier League games are at home, however, starting with Wolves on Saturday, and Fernandes has urged his teammates to do whatever it takes to get across the finish line and secure a Champions League place that few were predicting back in August.

Fernandes told Sky Sports: ‘This club has to be in that position. And I think these players deserve to be there too.

‘The team has done a great job this season when no one thought United could be fighting for the top four. At the beginning of the season no one put our team in the top six.

‘We knew we could be even higher. And soon this club will be fighting for even bigger things.

On concerns of fatigue he added: ‘Tiredness is always there.

‘We play many games so that’s normal, but our club we want to play as many games as possible, to be in a position to win trophies and reach finals. You have to find a way to rest when possible.’

Source: https://metro.co.uk/