Manchester United shattered their January transfer window record in 2020 with the landmark acquisition of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP, a deal that ultimately reached £67.8 million. The Portuguese midfielder's arrival at Old Trafford followed a glowing recommendation from his international teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had previously blazed a trail from Sporting to United as a young prodigy.
Immediate Impact on the Pitch
When Fernandes joined Manchester United, the club found themselves six points adrift of a coveted Champions League qualification spot. His influence was both instant and transformative. In just 14 Premier League appearances during the remainder of the season, Fernandes delivered an impressive eight goals and seven assists. This remarkable contribution was instrumental in propelling United to a third-place finish in the table, securing their return to Europe's elite competition.
Ronaldo's Pivotal Role in the Transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo's endorsement proved crucial in facilitating the move. Prior to the transfer being finalised, Ronaldo publicly praised Fernandes's talent, questioning why he remained at Sporting. Speaking about his Portugal colleague, Ronaldo remarked, "In the national team, you have Bruno Fernandes, who nobody knows why he doesn't leave. A lot of talent."
Fernandes later confirmed the significance of Ronaldo's intervention. "Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano," he revealed to United's official 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."
The midfielder also disclosed that then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had consulted Ronaldo directly. "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."
Leadership and High Standards Revealed
Fernandes's leadership qualities, evident during his captaincy at Sporting, came to the fore at Manchester United when he assumed the club captaincy from Harry Maguire in 2023. A leaked WhatsApp voice message from his time in Portugal offered a stark insight into the demanding standards he expects from teammates.
According to reports from Portuguese outlet Record, Fernandes expressed fierce criticism in the message, stating: "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."
He continued with uncompromising clarity: "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."
Sustained Success and Legacy
Despite Manchester United experiencing periods of difficulty in recent years, Fernandes's competitive spirit has remained undimmed throughout his tenure. His trophy cabinet at the club includes both the FA Cup and the League Cup, honours secured since his arrival six years ago.
The former Sporting captain was also part of the United squad that welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford in 2021. The Portuguese internationals featured together in 51 matches, achieving victory in 26 of those encounters. Fernandes's journey from record signing to club captain underscores a career defined by high expectations, transformative influence, and an unwavering commitment to excellence that continues to shape Manchester United's trajectory.
