Bruno Fernandes and Wayne Rooney have plenty in common, both being Manchester United captains and inspirations. Both are eager for the club to climb out of the doldrums and reconnect with its glorious past.
A Shared Moment in Time
Rooney and Fernandes share a memory of Euro 2004. Rooney was the teenage golden boy of the England team. Fernandes was a nine-year-old football obsessive from northern Portugal watching the Euro 2004 quarter-final in Lisbon.
England were leading until Rooney broke his foot. Portugal won on penalties. Fernandes remembers that moment well. “That was my first memory of the Portugal team playing,” said Fernandes.
“I shouldn’t say this, but when England lost on penalties, I was in my grandma’s house with my cousins. We ran outside in the streets screaming.” Rooney recalled, “I was in hospital, in a Portuguese hospital, still in my England kit, watching on a little TV.”
The mutual respect between Rooney and Fernandes was clear during a 40-minute chat for The Wayne Rooney Show.
Fernandes’ Impact at Old Trafford
Rooney and Fernandes have made a combined 881 appearances for United.
Rooney is the club’s record goalscorer with 253. Fernandes, by common consent, has had the greatest impact of any of the club’s signings since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
If he claims three assists in the final five games of the season, he will break the record of 20 for the most in any single Premier League campaign.
Rooney won the players’ and writers’ player of the year awards in 2010. He thinks Fernandes should win them now, and is the perfect example for his team-mates.
“It’s a huge privilege to be in the conversation,” said Fernandes. He is likely to face strong opposition from Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel.
“You can say as many times as you want that you want to win trophies collectively. That is true. But these individual accolades are always nice on the personal side.
“It is players voting for you. That has a different impact because you have been playing against them. If they recognise you as one of the best in the league, it’s a huge privilege.”
Fernandes’ United Future
It is a sobering thought for everyone attached to United that Fernandes might not have been at Old Trafford this season.
At the end of last season, club officials told the 31-year-old they would not stand in his way if he wanted to accept a huge offer from Saudi Pro-League club.