Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford played alongside each other at Manchester United for almost four years
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Premier League match against Bournemouth
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on former teammate Marcus Rashford and how their styles of play complemented each other.
Rashford was a product of the club's academy and broke into the first team in 2016 at the age of just 18. He went on to make over 420 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring 138 goals in that time and registering 78 assists.
Following the arrival of Ruben Amorim in November last year, his game time became limited and he spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa. This term, he is on loan in La Liga with European giants Barcelona, where he has scored seven goals in 23 appearances so far.
Fernandes, on the other hand, joined the Manchester club from Portuguese side Sporting CP in January 2020 and has been an influential figure ever since. In his almost six years at Old Trafford, he has amassed over 300 appearances and was named captain in July 2023.
Since 2020, Rashford and Fernandes have played alongside each other on over 200 occasions and registered 26 goal contributions when on the pitch together. While the midfielder has played with some elite attackers over the years, not least at present with summer signings Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, the on-pitch relationship forged with Rashford was one of the strongest.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford celebrate a goal during a Premier League match in May 2024
Bruno Fernandes has shared his views on Marcus Rashford(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Speaking on Rio Meets on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the 31-year-old opened up on some of the connections he has shared with teammates, past and present. Be it Rashford, Edinson Cavani or Anthony Martial.
"With Rashy," Fernandes began. "It was more about the type of player I am and the type of player he is.
"So the type of service he needs was kind of a match between us two. Rashy’s runs in behind were unbelievable and powerful."
This weekend, Fernandes and United are gearing up for a tricky away test in the Premier League against a high-flying Aston Villa side. Then, on Boxing Day, they will host Newcastle at Old Trafford in a bid to climb the standings ahead of the New Year.
Rashford and Barcelona, on the other hand, take on Villarreal away on Sunday in the hope of extending their lead at the top of La Liga. Then, they will enjoy a short winter break before returning to action at the start of January with another away trip, this time against Espanyol.
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