Bruno Fernandes responds to criticism over his Manchester United form before Tottenham

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has insisted that class is permanent after criticism surrounding his recent form.

So far this campaign, Fernandes has scored just the once for United a winner away at Southampton. He has also managed two assists but his form has been some way off that which earned him praise when he first arrived in Manchester.

Despite this, Fernandes has become undroppable for Erik ten Hag and has even taken the captain's armband in the absence of Harry Maguire. However, when questioned about his performances by Amazon Prime, the 28-year-old sent a defiant message to his critics.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag speaks out on Fernandes form

"If you play as a number ten you will have a lot of last balls and sometimes it is a risky pass," he explained. "Some people were talking about how 'he doesn't run, he doesn't cover the pitch' - I would like them to see my stats on running.

"I am normally at least in the top three of those who run the most. The one that has the most sprints, the most recoveries but they do not find that stat because I am not scoring goals.

"Like Southampton I didn't do a great game but I scored a goal and everybody was happy with that. Every day I am a better player, I make myself improve to be better every day so I am pretty sure that I am a better player than yesterday.

"No it is not (the toughest time of my career). I struggled to play football (at the beginning) but now I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world that should not be my toughest time.

"I want to score my goals, I want to assist more but that will never be a problem. Obviously class is permanent, you either have it or you don't but life is made by challenge and I have to challenge myself.

"If my work rate is