Bruno Fernandes has had his say on the classic ‘Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard’ debate – he did not hesitate when naming his favourite.
The Manchester United captain will be hoping his team’s fortunes improve after a stuttering start to their Premier League campaign.
During United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, Fernandes put in a poor showing. And fans on social asked for him to be subbed at half-time.
Despite capturing relative success in a United shirt – winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 – Fernandes has not tasted the amount of glory the three players in question did.
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The Portuguese weighed in with his verdict on the debate when speaking to the Official Manchester United podcast in 2020.
Almost predictably, Fernandes could not go for an ex-Liverpool or Chelsea captain.
"Maybe I'm more closer to Paul Scholes. Scholes was a guy who likes to be in the box, who likes to give an assist, who likes to score a lot of goals,” explained Fernandes.
"It's funny, I remember when we were about to play Club Brugge [at home] last season, and I was in the dining room with Fred, and on the television, they were playing all Paul Scholes' goals in a Manchester United shirt [on MUTV].
"We had eaten, but we just stayed there to watch all of the goals of his. It was funny because I was talking to Fred, and I said to him, 'You see what Paul Scholes is doing, you need to be more closer to the goal, because if not, you will never score!' And then Fred, in that game, he scored twice!
"I appreciate Scholes a lot but maybe because, at that time for me in Portugal, when Scholes was playing at his best level, it was difficult for us to see English football, maybe it was because Spanish football was closer so it was more on the television, and we grew up with those names.”
Despite Fernandes’ clear admiration for the ex-United man, he may have taken Scholes’ recent criticism of the current United crop to heart. The 49-year-old has criticised United’s recruitment policy despite the Red Devils having a summer spend of nearly £180m.
However, it would be safe to assume both Fernandes and Scholes will be hoping United’s form will improve soon.
Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes
Luke Davies