Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes reacts to negativity from critics

Bruno Fernandes feels the negativity around Portugal heading into the European Championship shows that playing for the national team carries responsibility, which he likes.

Manchester United's captain Fernandes has 66 caps for Portugal and he's set to start every game at the heart of the midfield for his country at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.

Fernandes enjoyed a wonderful season for United and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a third time. The midfielder delivered consistent performances in a struggling side and supporters are desperate for United to safeguard his future with a new contract.

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The 29-year-old is open to staying in Manchester but will focus his attention on Euro 2024, as Portugal look to win the tournament again after lifting the trophy in 2016.

Although Portugal are fourth favourites to win Euro 2024, they suffered a defeat to Croatia in a friendly at the weekend and Fernandes has reflected on that game.

Fernandes reacted to the negativity around Portugal and said it should drive the players. "It was the second defeat [Croatia], but nothing changes what we expect for the Euros," he told O Jogo.

"We didn't want to lose, we never want to, we are at the level of the best and we want to compete with the best. They are a very well-prepared team, with very experienced players, finalists in 2018, semi-finals at the World Cup in Qatar, big-name players.

"It causes difficulties when they have the ball, a lot of mobility, we worked for that, but we suffered a penalty, we failed to read the danger in the second goal.

"We already knew there were aspects to improve. We don't think everything is done, there are always aspects to improve. I like the negativity of thinking like this, that the national team is not that good.

"It's a sign that people expect a lot from the national team and it means that we have the quality to do more, we know that and in this game we have the opportunity to rectify it.

"The Portuguese people are very passionate about what they do, I see a lot in the Portuguese people, we also have enormous determination and passion to be ourselves again in adversity and give an even stronger response.

"Against Croatia, it was nothing extraordinary, there is something to improve, but it was preparation, we want to win every game, now one more to win, winning gives another motivation, joy, another smile and we want to have a big smile throughout the race.

"Obviously we want the Portuguese to dream with us because we dream very big. We have a very big ambition, a very big hunger to win, a very big quality too, which is undeniable."

Portugal have a blend of experience and youth in their squad and Fernandes played an important role in helping academy players integrate into United's first team last season.

"If any club wants me as a scout, I've seen something in some of them. They are young people with a lot of quality," he joked about Portugal's emerging talent.

"All merit in them, a mix of youth that can help, others with experience, others with even more experience, a mix of quality that can help us."