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Bruno Fernandes believes that Michael Carrick has helped instil the mindset that Manchester United must be the 'main characters' in every match they contest, since taking over from Ruben Amorim. The Portugal midfielder considers that mentality essential for anyone representing a club of the Red Devils' stature.

United have secured their place in the Champions League and have been in magnificent form under Carrick, climbing the table with 12 victories and three draws in 17 fixtures. In achieving that record, Carrick has become the first English manager, and only the sixth ever, to triumph in eight or more of their opening nine matches in the Premier League.

Fernandes, a standout performer during United's campaign, believes thir improvement in form stems from how they have developed as a team and their fresh approach to fixtures.

"This season we can talk about past results and everything that didn't go our way," Fernandes told Gary Neville in a Sky Sports interview.

"We improved a lot as a team, we became much better in the way we approach games every time.

"We have to be the main character every time and not think 'let's try to do our best and see what's coming'. We have to be the main character in the game and then we will see.

"Sometimes you're going to struggle, sometimes you won't, but you have to try to be the main character in the game because you play for a big club and play for a huge place.

"Not where we are at the moment, we want to be in the top four all of the time, that has to be compulsory, but it's the first place that we want."

Fernandes was left baffled by United's difficulties earlier in the campaign.

He believes the Red Devils were effective in implementing Amorim's tactics to limit their opponents' presence in their penalty area, yet they simply could not prevent themselves from conceding crucial goals.

United's skipper believes this took a heavy toll on the team's confidence, with their belief eroding each time it occurred.

"Under Ruben, we were always on top of the games, but then we were the team that would allow teams the fewest time in our box and at the same time we would be the team that conceded more goals in that period," he explained.

"In our head was like 'how is it possible that we don't allow them to come into our box as often and then when they come we still concede a goal?'

"It was nothing to do with the defenders or with the goalkeeper, it was the full team. Like, we're so good in moments, let's not let them break into the box and then when they did it we always conceded a goal.

"It always felt like we were doing everything well. We're creating chances, we're not scoring and then all of a sudden they have one chance and they score against us. So the belief of doing everything so well, and everything was always coming down a little bit."

Fernandes, however, stood by Amorim's system, insisting it proved effective beyond the scorelines.

When quizzed over whether the formation was at fault, Fernandes replied: "I don't think so because, as I said, we were the ones not letting them into our box.

"So, that means your shape was good. You were defending well, and attacking-wise, we were up there in creations of xG or whatever."

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