Bruno Fernandes has had the pleasure of playing with the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo for both Manchester United and Portugal.
Many would have thought the superstar would enhance Fernandes’ game at Old Trafford, but the stats appear to disprove this theory.
The 28-year-old signed for United in January 2020, while Ronaldo making a dramatic return to the club the following year.
They spent just a season-and-a-half together and since Ronaldo’s second debut, Fernandes has played 53 games with him at the club.
In the 4,495 minutes during that time, the midfielder scored seven goals and assisted 14 times for United, averaging 214 minutes for every goal or assist.
He had a win rate of 50.9 per cent with the 38-year-old, but matches without his international teammate since September 2021 boast better numbers.
An absent Ronaldo in 28 games has seen Fernandes also score seven goals but provide only eight assists.
However, with the minutes racking up to just 2,420, the time for a goal or assist has dropped to 161 minutes.
Fernandes’ win per cent has also increased without Ronaldo, rising to 60.7 in all competitions.
He did create three chances per 90 with Ronaldo, which is higher than the 2.7 without.
Despite this, Fernandes’ shots per 90 have increased from 2.4 with Ronaldo to 2.6 without.
Fernandes is therefore appearing to be more beneficial at United when Ronaldo, who is now at Al Nassr, hasn’t appeared with him.
He has also been able to lift his trophy at the club, playing the full 90 minutes in their 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle.
They by no means failed to work together at United, but Fernandes is clearly shining without one of the best to ever play football.
Source: talksport.com
