Bruno Fernandes

[Andi Istiabudi]

BRUNO: THIS IS MY DREAM

Bruno Fernandes completed his transfer to Manchester United on Thursday and the Portugal midfielder can't wait to get started at his new club.

The 25-year-old sat down for an exclusive interview with MUTV's Mark Sullivan to discuss his switch to Old Trafford, the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo and his hopes for the future with the Reds...

Welcome to Manchester United. How does it feel to have signed for the club?
“I feel very well and I’m very happy to be here. It’s an honour for me to represent this club and a dream come true.”

Was it always a dream of yours to play in the Premier League?
“Yes, it was my dream to play in the Premier League and fortunately for me my dream is also to play for Manchester United.”

You join a young squad, and you're only 25 yourself. How excited are you to grow with this young team and hopefully achieve something special with them?
“I’m really excited. I want to help everyone and learn from the experienced players.”

You met Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the first time – how was that?
“It was a good meeting. He has a past in this club and I’m really happy to be training for him now.”

United fans are really excited that you’ve signed and are eager to see you play. How much are you looking forward to playing in front of them?
“I’m really excited. I want to play and be able to play as soon as possible and to give the best I can.”

How would you describe your style of play to a United fan who maybe hasn’t seen you play? I’ve heard some coaches compare you to Rui Costa…
“There is a big difference with Costa, he had a really great career. I want to be better, it’s difficult but it’s my dream to be better every day and I hope Manchester United fans can enjoy my game.”

It’s a big move for you and also your family – how excited are they?
“They are excited for me. They know this is a dream and they share my dreams. I hope they will be really happy.”

How much have you seen of English football and what are your memories of the Premier League growing up as a kid?
“I saw many games in Portugal because they show the games there and I followed Manchester United more when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was here. He’s a big player and I see him as an idol and I want to be in the form like Cristiano showed.”

Of course that link with Cristiano will be made – do you remember his transfer to United and how excited everybody was for that?
“Yeah I remember. Sporting had a friendly match against Manchester [United] and he played really well like he does always and of course the fans were excited about him. Now I want to write my history, different to Cristiano because he is the best player in the world. He has played 15 years at the top and it’s difficult to do this, but I want to give my best to write my name in the history of Manchester United.”

Has Cristiano ever spoken to you about Manchester United?
“Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano. 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 and I also talked with Ole and he said he asked Cristiano about me 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.”

In recent years you also played alongside Nani when he returned to Sporting. Was it a great experience to play alongside another Portuguese legend?
“Of course. I have had the opportunity to play with big players who do big things in the Premier League and other championships and I’m very happy to learn from them, and Nani is no exception. I played with him, he was my captain at Sporting and I learnt some things from him. He sent me a message the other day and said he was very happy for me with my move.”

Your international team-mate Bernardo Silva is another resident of Manchester. Have you been in touch since this transfer has gone through?
“Yes, he texted me on Wednesday and said I was lucky I didn’t play against him! [Smiles] I told him the luck was with him because if I’d played against him I will punish him!”

What do you think are the differences between the Premier League and Portugal’s Primeira Liga, and Italy’s Serie A where you’ve also played, of course?
“It’s different. In Portugal, you see for the most part with players, it’s about talent, they bring them up through the Academy and they show their talent and they move to other countries who have big clubs – it’s a big move you’re waiting for when you play in Portugal. In Italy I learnt a lot because the coach there was focused on tactics and you learn so much. I think when you play in Serie A you are ready to play everywhere.”

Just before your 18th birthday you took the bold move of moving to Italy. How much did that experience develop you as a person?
“A lot, because it made me grow up faster and I had to do it alone. I had the support of my family of course and of my wife. Every time she could be, she was there to support me, my family also, and I grew up as a person in Italy too. I lived alone and you have to start to know how to do things like a big man and for me it was really important to go to Italy.”

You returned to Portugal in 2017 with Sporting and we’ve seen you hit amazing heights over the last two years or so with goals and assists. What do you put that down to and what has been the catalyst behind you becoming one of the top midfielders in Europe?
“When you move to a big club like Sporting you need to give your best and give more, and you need to work more so your stats will get better. Of course playing at a big club you have big players in your side and everything is easier. I think the work I did at Sporting was really good, I had coaches who helped me a lot and also the players I played with supported me a lot in the good and bad moments. For me they are one of the reasons I am here today.”

It’s not just the goals, it’s the assists as well. Do you get as much of a thrill from an assist as you do a goal?
“I think it’s the same. You’re happy when you win and if your team score you are closer to a win. So I think it’s the same. Of course every player wants to score, it’s the most important part of the game, scoring goals and winning games. For me it’s really the same, assist or goal, I don’t choose. If I can do one of them or both it’s good, the most important thing is the team winning.”

How much are you looking forward to running out at Old Trafford for the first time in front of our amazing fans?
“This is the dream. The dream is coming to Old Trafford and having the possibility to play in front of our fans. I’m really excited to have this possibility.”

You will wear the no.18 shirt – why that number and what does it mean to you?
“There are a lot of reasons for the no.18. It’s a number I like. The last three years I have played as no.8 because it’s the number my father had as a player and my birthday and it’s the number I like. Number 18 is also the birthday of my wife and another reason is, when I grew up, I saw Paul Scholes playing in it and for me having this shirt and this number of an amazing player is something I will enjoy. I know I have a lot of responsibility.”

How exactly do you say your name?
“It doesn’t matter how you say it, it’s the same! The important thing is that you say it a lot of times in the stadium which would mean I was scoring or giving an assist! [Smiles] My name is Bruno and maybe Fernandes is a bit harder for the people to say who are not from Portugal. When I lived in Italy no-one there said it the right way! [Laughs] Bruno is okay!”

Whether the game at the weekend comes too soon for you, we’ll have to see, but we're facing Wolves who have a strong Portuguese influence including Joao Moutinho. I heard he was one of your idols growing up…
“Yes, he’s one of the players I follow because I like his style of play. Since I was a kid, he was one of the players in Portugal who was one of the most important there. I followed him like I followed other idols. When you’re a kid you need to look to everyone to be better and to be like them. If you pick up a little of Joao and a little bit of Cristiano and a little bit of Nani and other players you can be better.”
For you personally, what are your ambitions in the game and what do you hope to achieve?
“Winning. I just want to win. I live to win and I want to win every single game.”

Finally, what is your message to United fans?
“My message is I am here to help and I hope we can celebrate a lot together.”

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Mantab nih Bruno...



BRUNO WINS MAN-OF-THE-MATCH AWARD ON DEBUT

Bruno Fernandes made an instant impression on the Manchester United fans after being voted our Man of the Match on his debut in the 0-0 draw with Wolves.

Although the Reds did not break the visitors down, the 25-year-old showed some of his qualities in a couple of different positions in midfield, managing a number of positive passes and testing Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal, a keeper he knows very well from his time at Sporting Lisbon and Portugal.

Bruno had five shots, more than anybody else on the pitch, and also the highest amount of overall passes (88) and passes in the opposing half (70), highlighting his influence.

The Opta statistics also showed he was involved in 24 duels, again the most of anybody on the field, and nine more than his closest team-mate (current Player-of-the-Month Fred).

Showing defensive aptitude, he surprisingly made more clearances than any of his colleagues (3) and also picked up a yellow card.

For the first time, supporters could opt for any of the Reds involved on the day, rather than the three nominees from the MUTV studio.

The new innovation led to more votes in total but Bruno was a clear winner, ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Fred.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH RESULT

1. Bruno Fernandes - 48%
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 13%
3. Fred - 11%

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Neville: Bruno Fernandes Layaknya Veron Saat Bermain di Posisi Nomor 10
Putra Rusdi K - detikSport



Manchester - Gary Neville merasa Bruno Fernandes layaknya Juan Sebastian Veron saat bermain di posisi nomor 10. Ia tampil lebih baik usai ditarik sebagai gelandang tengah.
Bruno Fernandes langsung dimainkan Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sebagai starter saat Manchester United berjumpa Wolverhampton Wanderers di Old Trafford, Minggu (2/2/2020) dini hari WIB. Kehadiran pemain asal Portugal ini belum mampu membawa Setan Merah meraih kemenangan usai. Mereka mengakhiri laga dengan skor 0-0.

Meski begitu, penampilan Fernandes selama 90 menit dianggap banyak pihak cukup memuaskan. Dikutip dari Opta, ia membuat lima tembakan di laga ini terbanyak di antara pemain MU lainnya.

Pemain yang direkrut dari Sporting CP ini juga memberikan kontribusi dalam hal bertahan. Ia membuat tiga kali dua kali tekel, tiga kali sapuan dan satu kali memblok tendangan lawan.

Salah satu yang memuji performa Fernandes di laga debutnya bersama MU adalah Neville. Namun, Legenda The Red Devils ini juga menyoroti penampilan tak cukup baik Fernandes saat bermain sebagai gelandang serang di babak pertama. Ia merasa pemain 25 tahun ini baru tampil menjanjikan saat ditarik Solskjaer menemani Fred sebagai gelandang tengah selepas jeda.

"Di babak pertama dia berada bermain di posisi nomor 10. Dia sedikit mengingatkan saya pada apa yang dilakukan Juan Sebastien Veron ketika dia pertama kali datang ke MU," ujar Neville dikutip dari Sportskeeda.

"Dia bergerak liar ke segala sisi. Dia sibuk mencari tempat tetapi tidak benar-benar bermain dalam posisinya."

"Saya lebih suka dia di babak kedua. Dia sedikit lebih mampu mengontrol situasi dan saya pikir ini adalah debut yang cukup baik darinya," tuturnya menjelaskan.

[zudomiriku]

'When he's a little deeper, he may be a bit of a liability': Ryan Giggs expresses his fears over Manchester United's new £68m man Bruno Fernandes

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must find Bruno Fernandes' best role fast, Ryan Giggs says
* The £68m January signing made his debut in the 0-0 Wolves draw on Saturday
* Giggs is worried Fernandes could be a defensive 'liability' if not used correctly

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is fearful January signing Bruno Fernandes could become a defensive liability under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Portuguese midfielder made his debut on Saturday following his £68m move from Sporting Lisbon, as a lacklustre United were held 0-0 by Wolves.

Giggs believes Solskjaer needs to quickly discover Fernandes' best role within the Old Trafford midfield, or risk creating yet more tactical problems in his stuttering United side.

'We saw glimpses of the quality he does possess. I think it might need a bit of working out what his best position is,' the Wales boss told Premier League Productions.

'With his back to goal, I don't think that's his position. When he's a little bit deeper, defensively, he may be a bit of a liability. He's in between the two really.

'That's where you want to see him, coming on to the ball.

'But also you see when he is that little bit deeper he can spray the passes, he has got the vision to then play those passes. But then you need the runs.


Ryan Giggs is concerned Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes could be a 'liability'. The midfielder made his debut with a sparky performance against Wolves on Saturday. The United icon believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must quickly find Fernandes' best position. The 25-year-old is tasked with bringing back creativity to the Manchester United midfield

'I think he'll want to find his best position first of all. He tired towards the end but you can see the quality that he has got.'

The 25-year-old landed in Manchester with the task of adding the creativity United have desperately lacked this season.

They are still in touch with the top-four race, but slipped to seventh behind Sheffield United and Spurs after making it three Premier League games without a win.

Fernandes himself looked lively in the game, threatening in a number 10 role, but United will need much more to return to Champions League football next season.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7959321/He-liability-Ryan-Giggs-reveals-fears-Manchester-Uniteds-new-man-Bruno-Fernandes.html

[tumpal_oneunited]

Benarkah pendapat yang mengatakan Bruno salah posisi pas debut kemarin bersama MU?
Kok Neville malah memuji penempatan posisi Bruno yang diduetkan ama Fred agak ke belakang?
Ga mendingan agak ke depan ya posisinya?

[zudomiriku]

Originally Posted by tumpal_oneunited

Benarkah pendapat yang mengatakan Bruno salah posisi pas debut kemarin bersama MU?
Kok Neville malah memuji penempatan posisi Bruno yang diduetkan ama Fred agak ke belakang?
Ga mendingan agak ke depan ya posisinya?

kalo liat ulasan kmrn sih si Bruno main agak kebelakang karena Pereira keteteran. mungkin kalo Matic gak suspend atau Tominay dah bisa main deut sama Fred mungkin Bruno lebih leluasa main agak kedepan seperti posisinya di Lisbon. Neville mah gak usah didengerin

[tumpal_oneunited]

Originally Posted by zudomiriku

kalo liat ulasan kmrn sih si Bruno main agak kebelakang karena Pereira keteteran. mungkin kalo Matic gak suspend atau Tominay dah bisa main deut sama Fred mungkin Bruno lebih leluasa main agak kedepan seperti posisinya di Lisbon. Neville mah gak usah didengerin

Iya nih, harapannya Bruno bisa lebih main ke depan bantu Martial yang lagi memble.
Semoga salah satu dari Matic-Pogba-Tominay bisa menemani Fred dengan baik dan Bruno bisa diandelin untuk jadi tukang bikin gol.

[Andi Istiabudi]

HOW RONALDO AND NANI ADVISED BRUNO ON UNITED

“Once a Red, always a Red,” is a popular phrase in the parlance of Manchester United players and it was especially pertinent last week, when the transfer of Bruno Fernandes was completed.

Amid the smoke and pyro surrounding the 25-year-old’s capture, which sent ripples through the red universe, it was easy to miss the subtle roles that Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani played in their Portuguese compatriot joining us from Sporting.

The two ex-Reds also completed that route from Sporting to Old Trafford and, as Bruno revealed in his big interview upon signing, our former forwards had both reviewed the club in glowing terms to him.

Now a legend of the sport, it is fitting that Ronaldo was the first to make that move from Lisbon in 2003 and, almost 17 years later (a timeframe that is hard to believe), he reflects positively on a life-changing, career-shaping experience.

Fernandes remembers the hype that engulfed Cristiano’s transfer to Manchester and he recently tapped into his Portugal team-mate’s knowledge of United, with his own transfer to the Theatre of Dreams shaping up.

“Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano,” Bruno admitted to us.

“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.”

As a United fan, there is something quite heart-warming about Ronaldo recommending the club to a younger protégé.

It was equally fascinating to learn from Bruno that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had spoken to Cristiano, who he shared the pitch with for four seasons and later trained in a brief stint as our strikers’ coach.

“I also talked with Ole and he said he asked Cristiano about me,” said Fernandes. “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.”

Nani, who was previously Bruno’s Sporting captain and senior Portugal team-mate, had also been in contact to provide a glowing reference of United, where he proudly won 12 trophies as a Red.

“I played with him, he was my captain at Sporting and I learnt some things from him,” said Fernandes. “He sent me a message the other day and said he was very happy for me with my move.”

Once the much-rumoured Fernandes transfer was signed, sealed and delivered, Nani took time out of his training schedule with MLS club Orlando City to record a personal message for his friend and all Reds supporters.

“I ask you guys to give him your good support, have a little bit of passion for his adaptation, for sure he will prove his quality and score beautiful goals,” said the ex-Red of 230 appearances and 40 goals.

“I am missing you guys, the great moments we had and the good times. I can see Man United coming back to play the football we love and win our titles, because once you are a Red Devil you are a Red Devil forever. See you soon guys.”

Nani went out of his way to send that recorded message directly to us and, while that is a small gesture, it is representative of his role in the United family.

Perhaps Bruno will play a similar one for a young Portuguese in the future.

After all, “once a Red, always a Red”.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

BOX TO BOX: WHY FERNANDES IS A LEADER

Bruno Fernandes’s Manchester United debut showcased his leadership qualities, according to MUTV’s Danny Webber.

The former United forward picked out the way in which Fernandes encouraged his team-mates, including captain Harry Maguire, during the game against Wolves on Saturday as a major plus point, following his recent arrival.

“I love this, this is one of my favourite things,” said Webber, who analysed the Portuguese’s performance alongside Statman Dave as part of MUTV’s Box to Box feature, which you can watch a snippet of below.

“He’s dictating, he’s telling Maguire on this occasion where to play it. He’s demanding things from people, his head’s on the swivel all the time. He’s offering himself.

“The ball is rotating and he’s saying give it and go. He’s demanding from the players and, for me, that’s a massive, massive attribute when you’ve got someone like that dictating from the front.”

Bruno’s instant positive impact is further illuminated when his individual stats from the game are examined by the pair.

The 25-year-old completed a game-high 110 touches and 86 passes, 42 of the latter coming in the final third as United tried to unpick a typically stubborn Wolves backline.

Fernandes, who contributed to 33 goals from midfield for his former club in the 2018/19 season, also recorded five shots on goal, three of them on target, which was more than any other player on the pitch.

As if to emphasise his all-round abilities in midfield, the Portugal international completed six tackles, second only to our right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka – which, as we’ve seen so far this season, is nothing to be disappointed about!

In an insightful 11-minute feature, which is exclusively available to MUTV subscribers, Statman Dave and Webber pick up on the bits of Bruno's debut you might have missed.

www.manutd.com

[zudomiriku]

'I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano': Bruno Fernandes opens up on advice from Old Trafford hero Ronaldo as he pondered £68m move from Sporting Lisbon

* Ronaldo made the same journey from Sporting to Manchester United in 2003
* He is 'happy' with the Fernandes transfer and recommended the move
* Ronaldo also signalled his approval of Fernandes to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
* Fellow countryman Nani has spoken highly of United's new star signing

Bruno Fernandes has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo convinced him to follow in his footsteps from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United.

The new signing, 25, said the United legend and compatriot was supportive of the transfer and he also gave advice to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Fernandes told ManUtd.com: 'Yes, I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano.


Bruno Fernandes has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo convinced him to move to Old Trafford. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner made the same journey from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester

'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.'

Ronaldo made the switch from Sporting to Old Trafford in 2003 and quickly stood out as one of the best players in a generation.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner spent four seasons on the pitch with Solskjaer, and another two with the Norwegian in the backroom staff at United, and Fernandes revealed the pair are still in contact.

He said: 'I also talked with Ole and he said he asked Cristiano about me, and he said good things about me, which is good!


The pair have represented Portugal together and Ronaldo is supportive of the move

'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.'

Ronaldo was not the only former United player to reach out to Fernandes about the much-hyped transfer, as former teammate Nani also weighed in on the move.

The Orlando City forward was Fernandes's captain at Sporting and the pair have often played together for Portugal.

Bruno said: 'He sent me a message the other day and said he was very happy for me with my move.'

Nani, 33, sent a message to United fans after the transfer was confirmed, asking for their faith in his countryman.

He said: 'I ask you guys to give him your good support, have a little bit of passion for his adaptation, for sure he will prove his quality and score beautiful goals.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7971799/Cristiano-Ronaldo-gave-advice-Bruno-Fernandes-Manchester-United-move.html