KEY POINTS

  • Bruno Fernandes joined Man Utd during the January transfer window
  • Fernandes and Ronaldo regular train together with Portugal
  • The young midfielder has been following Ronaldo's footsteps in his soccer career

Manchester United’s newest addition, Bruno Fernandes, who has already made a mark for himself at Old Trafford, has revealed his conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo when the two met for the first time.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who joined Man Utd in January, regularly trains with former Red Devils superstar Ronaldo with the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo has been an idol to budding soccer players in Portugal and Fernandes is no different. In fact, Fernandes has followed Ronaldo’s footsteps by leaving Sporting Lisbon to make a huge move to the Theatre of Dreams.

In a conversation with Portuguese media house Cronache Di Spogliatoio, Fernandes narrated his first meeting with former Real Madrid skipper, Ronaldo during their international duty with Portugal. Ronaldo reportedly made a special gesture by approaching the young Fernandes during the latter’s first-ever training session with Portugal’s first-time.

“He immediately received me very well in the national team. We, young people, look at him as an idol, for me, it always has been. ‘It was very important on the first day in retreat. He came to me, saying,’ You are doing well at Sporting. Play your cards here. Keep it up.’ It was a dream for me: he had come to me, not vice versa. Those words make the difference if only the fact that he came. When we look at the strongest players we respect them, but that gesture left me a sign,” Fernandes said.

Fernandes, who has made five appearances for Man Utd so far, admitted that he had “shivers” the first time he walked out at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo
It appears that the writing is on the wall, fans and critics are now speculating that there is a growing tension between Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus Coach Maurizio Sarri. MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images

“When I got to the medical tests I realized that I was in another dimension. Inside the sports center, you can make any visit, it’s impressive. This really is one of the most important clubs in the world. And then there’s the entrance to Old Trafford: warm-up with nobody in the stands, enter the tunnel before the race and as soon as you put your foot on the grass you hear an incredible noise."

"I shivered, I dreamed of playing there as a child. If you talk about stadiums, I tell you: San Siro and Old Trafford are the most iconic,” Fernandes, who had already been named the Premier League Player of the Month, added.

Premier League, at present, has been suspended due to coronavirus crisis and when it gets resumed after April 3, the fifth-placed Man Utd will aim to break into top-four before the season ends.