Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes ahead of today’s meeting between the two sides.
Well, it’s derby day.
This should be a day for United fans to get excited about potentially beating those ‘noisy neighbours’.
Instead, derby day has become increasingly difficult for United supporters and last season’s 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium will still be in the minds of many this afternoon.
United need to turn in a big performance and captain Bruno Fernandes will be vital to any hopes of Erik ten Hag taking down Pep Guardiola…
Bruno Fernandes praised
City boss Guardiola has now praised Fernandes ahead of facing the Portuguese playmaker this afternoon.
Guardiola told Beanyman Sports that he thinks Fernandes is a simply ‘exceptional’ player.
One thing which has really impressed Guardiola is that Fernandes seems to play every game in every competition, always making himself available for selection.
Guardiola really admires that factor of Fernandes and suggested that ‘something is going to happen’ whenever he gets on the ball.
The City boss feels that Fernandes is a real threat from set plays as well as open play, believing that he is a ‘really, really important’ player to United.
“He’s an exceptional player,” said Guardiola. “Especially the consistency to play every single game in every single competition – I admire that a lot.”
“When the guy has the ball, something is going to happen. Free kicks, set pieces, the connections with the players up front, Garnacho, Rashford. What can I say? He’s a really, really important player.”
READ MORE: Who is Bruno Fernandes? Inside the life of Manchester United’s Portuguese Magnifico
Bruno Fernandes record v Manchester City
Fernandes has now played 10 games against City since joining United back in January 2020.
The 29-year-old has only experienced three wins in that time, losing six times and drawing just one.
Fernandes has scored three times against City and registered one assist, with United now needing him to add to that tally today.
With Rasmus Hojlund unavailable, United need somebody to step up in the final third this afternoon and whilst not a striker, Fernandes will be required to make a big impact against the Premier League champions.