Bruno Fernandes tells his teammates they must show they “have the balls” to play for Man United, as the captain breaks his silence on Rubén Amorim's claim about the “worst team in the club's history”

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has warned his teammates that the onus is on them to prove they “have the balls to play for this club” as they look to turn around their miserable season.

Fernandes' midweek rescue act secured a precious Europa League victory over Rangers at Old Trafford.

But the United captain knows that standards remain far below what is necessary and, speaking in light of manager Ruben Amorim's recent statements that this is “perhaps the worst team in Manchester United's history”, he does not agree. He beat around the bush.

“The reality is that to play here you have to have that pressure, you have to have the balls to play for this club, that's what it is,” Fernandes said.

“We have to feel that in every moment of every game there is a new opportunity to return ourselves to the position we deserve.

'Unfortunately for us this season there have been too many ups and downs and every time it looks like we are going to get there, we get hit again and go down.

Bruno Fernandes did not hold back with his last war cry to his Man United teammates

Fernandes (right) believes players have a responsibility to prove they deserve to play for the club.

“What we have to do is every time we take a hit and go down, we have to get up and try to hit back.”

United are struggling this season and the loss to Brighton recently marked their worst start to a home season in 131 years, when they weren't even known as Manchester United.

And although Amorim later came out and expressed regret at the severity of his statement about the state of the team at the moment, Fernandes has no hard feelings as he doesn't believe that sentiment is what Amorim really feels.

“I don't want to hear my coach say certain things about the team because I know he doesn't mean it,” he added.

“But he became part of it and when the manager becomes part of what he says, no one can get angry or disappointed about it.

“When he says 'the worst team in Manchester', he talks about the position we are in and when you look at where we are in the league, are in the worst position we have ever been in.

'So you have to accept it, unfortunately that is the reality. We have been in this situation for a long time and the club should not be there.

“But we have to accept it and understand that we must strive for much greater things and higher positions.”

Rubén Amorim regrets having suggested that this team could be the worst in the club's history

Fernandes (left) does not hold a grudge because he does not believe that Amorim believes his harsh criticism.

Tensions have risen for Amorim amid a series of disappointing results since he arrived to clean up the mess left by his predecessor Erik ten Hag.

After the 3-1 defeat against Brighton, Amorim, who angrily broke a television in the locker room, did not hold back in his assessment.

“We are perhaps the worst team in Manchester United's history,” Amorim admitted.

'I say this because we have to recognize it and change it. Here you go: your headlines.

“It is unacceptable to lose so many games. For any Premier League club, can you imagine Manchester United?

'The rivals are better than us in many details. I am only here to help my players, but we must understand that we are breaking all the bad records.