Bruno Fernandes talks to Wayne Rooney about Man Utd, the past, the future and England v Portugal

Wayne Rooney never played with Bruno Fernandes.

They faced each other eleven times – and both remember the FA Cup clash between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park in March 2020. visitors win 3-0, with Rooney denied a memorable goal against his former club when Sergio Romero saved a free-kick that his taker would surely have gone in.

Rooney and Fernandes are two men with so much in common.

Manchester United captains, talismans and inspirations; both keen for the club to continue to climb out of the doldrums and reconnect with a glorious past that Rooney was a part of before Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

But there is more that connects them. One night in June 2004 to begin with.

Rooney – the teenage golden boy of the English team. Fernandes – a nine-year-old football obsessive from Northern Portugal watches the Euro 2004 quarter-final is played 170 miles away in Lisbon.

England were in front and in control until Rooney broke his foot. Portugal won on penalties. In a day, a moment, elation and devastation resurfaced as the pair met at United’s Carrington training ground – a place they both know so well.

“That was my first memory of the Portugal team playing,” Fernandes said.

“I shouldn’t say this, but when England lost on penalties, I was in my grandmother’s house with my cousins. We ran outside screaming in the streets.”

“I was in the hospital,” Rooney replied. “In a Portuguese hospital, still in my England kit, watching some TV.”

The mutual respect between Rooney and Fernandes is clear during a 40 minute chat for The Wayne Rooney Show.

The two men made a combined 881 appearances for United.

Rooney is the club’s record goalscorer with 253. Fernandes has had, by common consent, the biggest impact of any of the club’s signings since Ferguson stepped down. If he claims three assists in the final five games of the season, he will break the record of 20 for the most in a single Premier League campaign.

Rooney won the Players’ and Writers’ Player of the Year awards in 2010. He thinks Fernandes should win it now, and is the perfect example for his teammates.

“It’s a great privilege to be in the conversation,” said the Red Devils captain, who is likely to face strong opposition from Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel.

“You can say as many times as you want that you want to win trophies collectively. It’s true. But these individual awards are always nice on the personal side.

“It’s players voting for you. It has a different impact because you’ve played against them. When they recognize you as one of the best in the league, it’s a great privilege.”