Nani pushed Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United

The former Manchester United winger, Nani, revealed his role in the arrival of his compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford. Fernandes has been thriving with the Red Devils since leaving Sporting CP in January 2020 for € 55million. Nani is well acquainted with the talent of the 27-year-old having rubbed shoulders with him at Estadio Jose Alvalade a few seasons ago, and it is thanks to his intervention that the midfielder turned down interest from Manchester City and Tottenham to put on the red jersey.

Nani, who plays today at Orlando City (MLS), told Athletic: « I was the first to tell him he had to go to England and that if he decided to go to England, if he could choose Manchester United, that would be the best thing for him. It was funny because a few months later when I went to Orlando I saw the news and texted him because I saw Manchester City, United and Tottenham fighting for him and I told him says: ‘If you have to go, choose Manchester United! It’s the best ! ».

Bruno Fernandes scored his first goal for the club in his fourth appearance against Watford in February 2020. In total, he scored 44 goals and delivered 33 assists in 96 appearances in all competitions so far, becoming one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League.

Fernandes isn’t the only Portuguese star making an impact at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo being back at Old Trafford after leaving Juventus this summer. Nani, who played alongside Ronaldo for United and Portugal, supported the striker’s decision to return to the Red Devils, while admitting that he still has a keen interest in his former club’s game. « It’s special now with Cristiano theresaid the winger, who made 230 appearances for the club between 2007 and 2015.

“Obviously when you see the news and his situation at Juventus, you could imagine there was no better place for him than to go back. In my head, I knew he could go. I knew the news would be true, so it wasn’t such a big surprise to me. « 

Asked if he still follows United, he replied: « Always. If I don’t have a game at the same time, of course. It’s always a motivation to see United and Old Trafford packed with supporters, the way the atmosphere is in this stadium is just amazing. It’s good to see and remember some good times. «