Manchester United completed a club record deal in the January transfer window of 2020
Bruno Fernandes remains Man United’s record January signing(Image: Shaun Botterill, Getty Images)
Manchester United broke their January transfer record when they signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in 2020. Following in the footsteps of a young Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford with a ringing endorsement from his Portugal team-mate.
At the time of the deal, United were six points adrift of a Champions League spot, but Fernandes’ arrival sparked a turnaround. With eight goals and seven assists in just 14 Premier League games, he propelled United to third place in the table.
The immediate impact from the club’s record January signing, who cost up to £67.8million, would not have surprised former United star Ronaldo. Before Fernandes agreed to join United, Ronaldo had tipped the midfielder for a big move.
Speaking about his Portugal team-mate at the time, he said: “In the national team, you have Bruno Fernandes, who nobody knows why he doesn’t leave. A lot of talent.”
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Upon finalising his move to Old Trafford, Fernandes shared the pivotal role Ronaldo played in sealing the deal. Not only did the seasoned striker speak to Fernandes but he also gave positive feedback about the midfielder to his former teammate and then-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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“Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano,” Fernandes told 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 Portuguese midfielder continued: “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.”
Fast forward to 2023, Fernandes took over from Harry Maguire as United’s skipper. Having previously captained Sporting, a leaked WhatsApp voice message from his time in Portugal revealed the high standards he expects from those around him.
Cristiano Ronaldo praised Bruno Fernandes before his move to Manchester United(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Fernandes said: “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.
“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.”
Fernandes remains a star player for Manchester United (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Despite United’s recent difficulties, Fernandes’ competitive spirit has shone through during his tenure at the club. He has won both the FA Cup and League Cup since joining the Red Devils six years ago.
The former Sporting captain was also part of the United team that heralded Ronaldo’s return to the club in 2021. The Portuguese pair played together in 51 matches, winning 26 of them.
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