Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes names Man City star as one of the three toughest opponents of his career

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has picked out stars from Arsenal and Manchester City as his two toughest opponents he has faced.

Fernandes moved to the Premier League from Sporting CP in January 2020 for a fee that could rise to £67.6 million.

The Portugal international's importance to United cannot be overstated and it's no surprise to see Erik ten Hag promote him to club captain after wearing the armband for large spells last season.

With 124 appearances in the Premier League to his name and a total of 77 goal contributions, Fernandes has excelled in the English top flight.

But the former Udinese man has revealed the players he found most difficult to play against. His first selection was N'Golo Kante, who was constantly at his heels and covering every blade of grass at Chelsea, while he also praised Rodri and Arsenal's £105 million record signing Declan Rice, believing them to be "really similar".

Image: Getty

"It is a difficult one,” Fernandes told Sky Sports as part of a Saturday Social feature.

“In the Premier League, you play against top, top players. I can tell you [N’Golo] Kante was difficult, Rodri is really difficult, Declan Rice is really difficult.

“Declan and Rodri are physically really similar. Kante is more small but quick and sharp. But there are many players because we play in the best league in the world so you get to play against the best players."

Bruno Fernandes during a Manchester United training session. Image: Getty

Fernandes saw Rice's quality up close and personal during off-season training at 'The Campus', a luxury sports complex in the Algarve, Portugal.

On Monday night, the 28-year-old will wear the United armband for the first time in a competitive match since being named permanent skipper as the Red Devils host Wolves.

"I don't try to be the captain, I try to be just as I am," Fernandes answered when asked what kind of captain he is.

"Obviously you know you have some responsibilities as a captain but the way I will act will be the way Bruno is, not how Bruno is a captain.

"It's a big privilege. The thing that comes in your mind is look at the past of this club, look at the captains and how many trophies they've lifted.

"It makes you aware of what kind of captain I want to be, one that lifts trophies."

Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Premier League, Manchester City

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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