Bruno Fernandes has insisted Manchester United have defied expectations this season by being in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League table, one point clear of Liverpool in fifth with a game in hand over their arch rivals.

Man Utd had held a much more commanding lead in the race to finish in the top four recently, but two league defeats on the bounce at the hands of Brighton and West Ham respectively have seen Liverpool close the gap heading into the final few games of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the top four race, star man Fernandes was keen to point out that many fans and pundits didn't expect Man Utd to be in the running in the first place.

He said: "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 top of impressing in the Premier League this season under new manager Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils have also got their cup mojo back. Man Utd have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season and are set to face off against inner-city rivals Man City in the FA Cup final later this month.

Read the latest Man Utd news here

Due to their commitments in a number of different competitions, Man Utd have played a lot of football so far in 2022/23, with Fernandes himself playing 54 games so far.

When asked about fatigue, Fernandes admitted that it's 'there' but that his team need to be able to deal with it.

"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."

Manchester United will welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Saturday in the Premier League.

LISTEN NOW

On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss Man Utd's recent slump in form and whether Erik Ten Hag has to shoulder some of the responsibility. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as Bruno Fernandes reveals how Man Utd have proven doubters wrong this season.