Bruno Fernandes has lifted the lid on how he really views Tottenham Hotspur, as Manchester United prepare to face the north London club in the Europa League final.
The Europa League final will see 16th in the Premier League take on 17th, in what will be the sixth all-English European final in history.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have endured poor domestic campaigns, but their runs to the final are a reminder that both clubs still possess the quality to trouble anyone on their day.
Ange Postecoglou’s men have demonstrated that repeatedly this season, with notable wins over Manchester City, Liverpool, and indeed Manchester United themselves.
Bruno Fernandes praises aggressive Tottenham ahead of Europa League final
Manchester United have long held a European pedigree and will back themselves against a Tottenham Hotspur side still chasing their first European trophy since 1984 – the last time they lifted the Europa League.
However, talisman Bruno Fernandes has admitted that facing Spurs in the final will be far from straightforward.
The Portuguese midfielder labelled Tottenham an aggressive outfit with quality throughout the side, and stressed that his team will need complete focus to overcome Postecoglou’s men.
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Speaking to Bein Sports, Fernandes said: “A very aggressive team on the front foot. They press very well, they defend with a high line where they are very well organised in that.
“They have players on the ball, quality-wise, very good, but we will study, we already know many of their threats.
“But more than that, we need to focus on what we need to do to not give any chances away for them and create a lot of chances for ourselves to score goals and win that game.”
Micky van de Ven reacts to Spurs facing Manchester United in final
Of course, the respect goes both ways, with Micky van de Ven refusing to label Tottenham as favourites for the final, despite the north London side beating Manchester United three times already this season.
The Dutch centre-back said: “I would not say it is an advantage because it is games in past so this is a game, it is a final and I know in a final anything can happen. We won three times against them so hopefully we can do the same thing for the final.”
Spurs know very well that in their last six meetings against Man United, they have not tasted defeat. But still, their players are refusing to get carried away ahead of the showdown in Spain.