Fernandes joined United in January 2020 from Sporting for an initial transfer fee of £47 million.
Since then, he has scored 88 goals in 268 appearances for United across all competitions, making him one of the club’s best signings since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. ..Continue Reading
During his tenure, Fernandes has won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but overall, it has been one of the more challenging periods for the Red Devils.
Following the appointment of new head coach Ruben Amorim in November, United currently sit 13th in the Premier League and seem likely to finish in the bottom half of the table, with the FA Cup and Europa League being their most realistic chances for silverware this season.
Throughout his time at United, Fernandes has faced many top-quality midfielders from the best teams in England.
In a 2023 interview with Sky Sports, Fernandes named the three most challenging midfielders he has played against in English football.
He highlighted former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, Manchester City star Rodri, and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who joined the Gunners in 2023 from West Ham United for £105 million, as the toughest opponents in the midfield battle.
He said: “It is a difficult one. In the Premier League, you play against top, top players.
“I can tell you 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.”
After his contract with Chelsea expired, Kante joined Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023. He had previously won the Premier League with both Chelsea and Leicester City.
Rodri is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a ruptured ACL, an injury he sustained during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September.
Meanwhile, Rice has featured in 33 games across all competitions for Arsenal this season. The Gunners are aiming to secure their first Premier League title since 2003 after coming close in recent years.
