Revealed: Key role Cristiano Ronaldo played in Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes

Friends United: Fernandes signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford earlier this year
AFP via Getty Images
Tom Dutton24 August 2020

Patrice Evra has revealed the key role Cristiano Ronaldo played in Manchester United's move for Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford earlier this year in a deal worth an initial £46.6million. The transfer saga dragged for much of last summer and into the winter window before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally got his man as the deadline approached in January.

The 25-year-old's short Old Trafford career has been a triumph so far, with the Portugal international scoring 12 goals in 22 matches across all competitions to help clinch a place in the Champions League.

Now former Manchester United full-back Evra has revealed the key part Ronaldo played in the transfer, which helped Solskjaer determine he would press ahead with a move for Fernandes.

"When they wanted to sign Bruno Fernandes, Ole texted me," Evra told The Guardian. "I asked Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano says: 'Bruno's a good guy and very professional.' I say: 'Ole, I've spoken with Cristiano. Let's go for it.' And Fernandes had a massive impact. Without him I don't think we would have qualified for the Champions League."

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