Manchester United completed a club record deal that was backed by Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes playing for Manchester United
Manchester completed a record January deal for a player who had received praise from Cristiano Ronaldo(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Manchester United made Bruno Fernandes their most expensive January signing when he completed his move from Sporting CP in 2020. Following the same path to Old Trafford as a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernandes arrived with his Portugal teammate’s seal of approval.
United sat six points off a Champions League spot when the deal was completed, but the new signing ensured the team ended the season on a high. Fernandes registered eight goals and seven assists in 14 Premier League games to fire United up to third in the table.
It was an instant return from the club’s record January signing, whose transfer fee was worth up to £67.8million. However, it was no less than what former United hero Ronaldo had expected from his compatriot.
Before Fernandes had agreed to join United, Ronaldo had tipped the midfielder for a high-profile move. He said of his Portugal teammate: “In the national team, you have Bruno Fernandes, who nobody knows why he doesn’t leave. A lot of talent.”
Upon completing his move to Old Trafford, Fernandes revealed the influential role Ronaldo had played in getting the deal done. Not only did the veteran striker speak to Fernandes, but he also gave his former teammate - and then-United boss - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer positive feedback about the midfielder.
“Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano,” Fernandes told United’s club website. “He just said good things about United. He said he started living his dream here and he started being a really good player here. I think he is happy with my transfer.”
Fernandes added: “I also talked with Ole and he said he asked Cristiano about me,” Fernandes explained. “And he said good things about me, which is good! Cristiano plays with me in the national team and he knows me and for me he’s a good person. I want to follow his steps.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes
Cristiano Ronaldo praised Bruno Fernandes before his move to Manchester United(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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In 2023, Fenandes replaced Harry Maguire as United captain. The midfielder had previously worn the armband at Sporting, and a leaked WhatsApp voice note demonstrated the standards he demanded from the squad.
Portuguese publication Record quoted Fernandes as saying: "Bro, I don't say anything! I honestly, if you want me to tell you, I'd rather not comment on anything. I think very badly of some of the attitude of some players.
"Actually not a certain attitude, it's an attitude that does not exist. There are players who have no attitude here, bro. They don't want to be here, they don't want to play.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Fernandes remains a star player for Manchester United (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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“They don't want to be here then f*** off, let them say they don't want to play. They spend a year here getting money, and then they f*** off, bro. S*** attitude bro, for f**** sake."
Despite United’s struggles in recent years, Fernandes’ winning mentality has been evident throughout his time at the club. He has clinched the FA Cup and League Cup since arriving at Old Trafford six years ago.
In a full circle moment, the ex-Sporting captain was also part of the United squad that welcomed Ronaldo back to the club in 2021. The Portuguese duo shared the pitch 51 times, winning 26 matches.