Bruno Fernandes talks up Ten Hag and failed Tottenham transfer
Bruno Fernandes admits he was left in a foul mood when his transfer to another Premier League club before completing a big move to Manchester United.
Portuguese playmaker Fernandes joined the Red Devils in January 2020 in a deal that cost £67m from Sporting Lisbon.
Fernandes made his presence known as a mainstay in United’s side and one of the most influential players in the Premier League, scoring 37 goals and providing 26 assists in 93 appearances.
However, things could have taken a different turn for the Portuguese, who revealed he was left disappointed that a potential move to Tottenham fell through before he ended up at Manchester United.
Fernandes opens up on failed transfer
Spurs tried to sign Fernandes while Mauricio Pochettino was in charge but Sporting Lisbon rejected their advances, leaving the midfielder ‘very angry’.
But Fernandes’ anger was short-lived as soon after he was signed by ‘dream club’ Manchester United.
He told The Athletic: “Obviously I wanted to go to the Premier League. The manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was the one who wanted me there.”
‘It was a good offer but Sporting tried their best to keep me. The president (Frederico Varandas) spoke with me but he spoke with me on the wrong day.”
“It was the day after they decided to refuse the offer from Tottenham and I was really angry. Luckily for me, the manager (Marcel Keizer) was the right one at the right time.”
“At the beginning of January, my agent said, “You don’t need to worry, because any time I bring you a club, it will be a dream club for you”. He knew that the dream club was Man United.”
Fernandes compares Ten Hag to Klopp and Guardiola
Erik Ten Hag has made quite the impression at Manchester United and Fernandes is more than delighted with the Dutchman, who has now led the Red Devils to five wins in their last six games.
“First of all, he has an idea. He has a style. You have to follow his rules. He is strict on that. And I like that. He has brought discipline, which is something I think we missed in the past. Everyone must be on the same page.
“That is what Pep (Guardiola) and (Jurgen) Klopp have been doing for years, because they have stability in the club and in the way they choose the transfer market and build the team, which is really important for them to get the rewards.”
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