Former Man Utd star reveals he persuaded Fernandes to reject Man City

Nani has revealed some career advice he gave to new Manchester United favourite Bruno Fernandes, namechecking their rivals Manchester City.

Former United winger Nani played with Fernandes for one season at Sporting CP, the club that the latter left to join United in January after a long-running transfer saga.

The Red Devils had been linked with Fernandes since the previous summer, and the playmaker finally completed the move halfway through the season.

The 25-year-old has hit the ground running since arriving in England, contributing two goals and two assists in four Premier League appearances so far, as well as one goal in the Europa League.

With one former United player in Paul Scholes already singing his praises, another in Nani has revealed how he played a minor role in persuading his compatriot to join United.

“That moment I was playing with him, I saw so much quality and so much potential in that player,” Nani told Goal.

“One day, in a conversation with him, I just motivated him to train a little bit harder, because that was the only thing that he needed in that moment for him to compete at the high level in the Premier League or Spain, or a different league.

“My advice, at that time, I told him that the best move for him was to go to England because his style of game is the one they appreciate a lot and he will score beautiful goals as he liked to do with shooting from long range and making the fans crazy.”

Fernandes was linked with several other clubs before choosing United, and could have in fact ended up with their rivals Man City if Fernandes had not taken on board Nani’s advice.

The rivals go head-to-head on Sunday, and all eyes will be on how Fernandes performs in his first Manchester derby.

Nani added: “As soon as I saw the news, the possibilities, I told him, ‘Don’t choose Manchester City, don’t choose any other team. You choose Man Utd!’

“After a couple of months, he moved to Manchester United and I was so, so happy because that advice and his choice were matching.

“It was beautiful because the moment I saw him play there, being the best player, scoring goals – it’s nice when it works like that.”

United’s signing of Fernandes has also notably impressed Paul Pogba, with some reports suggesting the French midfielder is set for a career U-turn because of the January arrival. Read more…