The manager of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his team’s attacking midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, has the same influence on his teammates as Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit the limelight after joining Manchester United on August 12, 2003, from a Portuguese club, Sporting Lisbon at age 18. Though he did not become an instant hit at the club, he steadily developed himself until he became the most reliable and loved player at Manchester United between 2003 and 2009.
Within the 6 years he spent at Manchester United before he joined Spanish La Liga side, Real Madrid for a then world transfer fee worth €94 million on July 1, 2009, Ronaldo scored 118 goals and provided 69 assists in 292 games for United.
Within that period, the 35-year-old Portuguese football icon won three consecutive Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and several other titles. His influence on the United’s team then won him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008. He won four more Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid and came close to winning the 6th in 2018 after switching to Juventus.
On the other hand, Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon on January 29, 2020, for a transfer fee worth €55 million. Immediately the 26-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder joined the club, he became an instant hit.
Within few weeks at the club, Fernandes became so important that he was made the club’s penalty taker and acted as the club’s captain in a couple of matches. His influence on his teammates has grown as much as being involved in the club’s 34 goals out of his 35 appearances for United.
That is, Bruno Fernandes has scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in his 35 games for United in less than a year at the club.
Focus 👀 pic.twitter.com/3b8XQnGd7P
— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) November 27, 2020
While speaking ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against Southampton which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described Fernandes as an influential and impactful team player.
He said: “Bruno has that presence [like Ronaldo] and an influence and an impact on his team-mates,” said Solskjaer ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton, live on Sky Sports.
“You just need to look at the results we’ve had since he’s come in. He’s got loads of energy, he’s got leadership, he is a team player – which is the key nowhere for us going forward. Some players will have to sit games out and rest.
“I wasn’t looking forward to telling Bruno when he was rested against RB Leipzig but it was no problem. Same with Marcus to be fair. They know this season will be challenging and this is how we build this team and the culture of the team – that it’s about the team and not the individuals.
“I think Bruno has proven that over and over, that it is the team before I.”
