“He’s showing ‘I’m the guy’” - Dimitar Berbatov names 2 current Manchester United stars he would love to play with
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has named two players from the current squad he would've liked to play with. He picked Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo for their passing ability and self-belief.
Berbatov spent four years at Manchester United between 2008 and 2012. He recorded 56 goals and 26 assists in 149 games for them, winning two Premier League titles, among other honors. He recently joined some of his former teammates like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in a charity match in South Korea.
He also sat down with Ferdinand on the latter's YouTube channel and was asked who from the current Manchester United squad he would've liked to play alongside. The Bulgarian striker answered (via United in Focus):
“You can easily say Bruno Fernandes, in my case. I look first for the guy who is making the special pass, or some improvising like this.
“You can see Kobbie Mainoo coming into that way of having that confidence of just give me the ball, i know what to do. He’s 19, but he plays with the belief that he’s 30 or something. The body language how he moves on the pitch. How he passes the ball, even how he scores the goal from time to time. he’s showing ‘I’m the guy’. This is good to have, you need to have this self belief on the pitch.”
Bruno Fernandes has been exceptional for Manchester United since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020. He's scored 79 goals and provided 71 assists in 245 games.
Mainoo, meanwhile, has recently broken through the club's academy and has made 44 senior appearances.
Pundits highlight Bruno Fernandes' role in Manchester United's win over Brentford
The Red Devils beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, October 19. Ethan Pinnock scored from a corner in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. However, Alejandro Garnacho equalised in the 47th minute before Rasmus Hojlund scored the winner in the 62nd minute.
Bruno Fernandes provided an excellent assist for Hojlund's winner. He also was involved in Garnacho's goal as he made a run to make space for the winger. Discussing the match on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, pundit Jamie Carragher asked Aaron Ramsey (via Stretty News):
“Midfield runs. Bruno Fernandes. Talk about how important those runs are.”
Ramsey answered:
“Oh yeah, they’re massively important. He makes a run, and then Casemiro as well makes another run; it just disrupts that backline and then the fullback gets sucked in, which creates a bit of room for Garnacho at the far post.”
Fernandes has provided five assists in 12 games across competitions for Manchester United this season but has yet to score a goal.