Even though it’s been over four years since Bruno Fernandes left Sporting for Manchester United, the midfielder still follows the Portuguese club and knows the talents they have there.
Among the many interviews the Red Devils’ captain has been giving in the past few days, he spoke to A Bola, and was asked about their current season and squad.
Fernandes was asked about the Sporting players who could leave, with the Premier League specifically mentioned, and had some good insight on some of them, despite not saying that it’s Manchester United who should sign them.
“Gyokeres is one of them, he’s scored a lot of goals, but I think Pedro Gonçalves has shown great dynamics over the years. This season is probably the one in which he’s played best, but as his numbers have dropped since the first season, people… What’s normal, he’s created a very high standard of goals and assists, so the pressure on him is very high. However, I think that Pote has been more influential in the team’s play now than he was when Sporting were champions and he scored a lot of goals. This confidence that the coach has in Trincão means that he’s back to being the player he was when he left Braga for Barcelona.”
“Obviously, Gyokeres scoring so many goals means that he sometimes falls by the wayside. Inácio has grown enormously and part of that is down to being in the national team and playing. Coates is always the pendulum in that defence because of his experience and his ability to be calm in difficult moments. The two in midfield… I love Sporting’s midfield. I love Morita and Hjulmand. They’re two vital players in Sporting’s game, especially when they have to have more of the ball and be more tactically organised.”
Manchester United have been linked to a couple of Sporting players this season. One of them is striker Viktor Gyokeres, who’s been in outstanding form since leaving Coventry City last year, and is now wanted by half of Europe. The other is defender Gonçalo Inácio, although the links between the Red Devils and him have been quiet for a while now.
Ruben Amorim, Sporting’s manager, was also highlighted as someone who could move to the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes was the last player the Red Devils bought from the Lions. Before him, there were the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Marcos Rojo.
 
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— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 20, 2024