Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo shared a seemingly awkward reunion as they met up in the Portugal camp ahead of the World Cup.
Ronaldo appears to have no future with United following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, in which he launched a dramatic attack on the club and his boss Erik ten Hag. The explosive quotes appear designed to accelerate an exit route for the Portuguese superstar from Old Trafford.
The clip, broadcast on Portuguese TV and widely circulated on Monday evening across social media, shows the two United and Portugal teammates appearing to have a frosty exchange – the first time that the pair had met since Ronaldo's interview. While there have been claims that this video may have been taken out of context, relations between Ronaldo and his teammates are likely to be frayed.
Ronaldo has been intent on departing United for the past five months after his high-profile return from Juventus last year did not go to plan. The 37-year-old stormed down the tunnel at Old Trafford after Manchester United's recent dominant two-goal victory over Tottenham and left the stadium entirely before his teammates returned to the dressing room.
Ronaldo, 37, had been widely criticised for his actions at the end of that encounter and a report from The Athletic highlights how many of his club teammates were dismayed at his behaviour. The attitude towards him in the dressing room is said to be deteriorating due to the forward's strops.
However, Ronaldo's relationship with Fernandes is particularly interesting. Not only are the two also international teammates for Portugal – alongside Diogo Dalot – but the pair are closely linked with their roles in the United team. It has been highlighted how the direct goal output of Fernandes plummets drastically with Ronaldo in the same side.
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The two also share set-piece duties for United, including taking direct free-kick opportunities and penalty kicks. The pair are the primary penalty takers for United and have often shared these duties for the club.
Much can be said for a player's status and standing within the dressing room depending on the extra responsibilities they are handed, such as set-pieces. Ronaldo has insisted on taking free-kicks and penalties throughout his career, but this has lessened in the past year with the presence of Fernandes at Old Trafford.
One of the most notable instances was at the start of the year when Fernandes and Ronaldo both visibly wanted to take a dangerous free-kick in the dying moments of a league clash against Wolves – with United trailing by a goal. Fernandes eventually won the battle and took the free-kick, which did not result in a goal but suggested a power swing within the dressing room.
In the absence of Harry Maguire, Fernandes has been United's most frequently captained player this season – with Ronaldo stepping in during his absence in a recent defeat at Aston Villa – and has emerged as a key leader in the dressing room since his January 2020 switch from Sporting Lisbon.
With Ronaldo just three months from his 38th birthday and his powers understandably diminishing, perhaps such awkward moments are not to be unexpected.
