Bruno Fernandes signed for Manchester United from Sporting Libson in January 2020 and it didn't take long for supporters to fall in love with the midfielder. Fernandes couldn't have wished to make a better impression during his first six months at Old Trafford.
"Bruno, Bruno, Bruno, came from Sporting like Cristiano," was soon heard on the terraces and it seemed like United had signed a player that would inspire them to win silverware. Fernandes was an immediate fan favourite and he was the type of player that opposition sides in the Premier League feared on matchday, which was something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had initially lacked.
Fernandes had a transformative influence in the dressing room with his elite mentality and he was genuinely world-class in his first two seasons at the club. He even won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for two successive campaigns.
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United had just finished second in the Premier League and Fernandes played at the European Championship with Portugal alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, but the pair did not realise they would soon be spending significantly more time together at that stage.
The news that Manchester City were looking to sign Ronaldo emerged that summer and Solskjaer's now famous press conference followed. Solskjaer was asked about Ronaldo and said: "If he was ever going to move, he knows we're here. Let's see what happens."
Solskjaer could not contain his smile when speaking about Ronaldo - he would not make a very good poker player. Ronaldo re-signed for United just a few days after that press conference and a wide smile was etched right across Solskjaer's face again.
Fernandes was also delighted about Ronaldo's arrival, just like the other key members of the dressing room. United had signed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo promised to be the final piece of the jigsaw to challenge for the Premier League title.
That is laughable with the benefit of hindsight, as United endured their worst Premier League campaign for decades instead. Ronaldo was one of two players - the other being David de Gea - who emerged from the season with credit and Fernandes' performances were not exempt from hopelessly deteriorating. He was a player among the majority who looked like a shade of their former selves.
The 28-year-old failed to be as effective in the final third of the pitch and it was suggested that he could not play with Ronaldo. He strongly denied those accusations whenever asked about the matter, but he still hasn't backed up his words on the pitch.
Fernandes contributed 43 goals and 25 assists in 83 games without Ronaldo at the club, whereas he has only contributed eight goals and 15 assists in the 51 games since the five-time Ballon d'Or winner made his return against Newcastle last September.
"Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don’t think [it is fair]," Fernandes told The Athletic this week when asked about whether he can play with Ronaldo. "I just had a poor season in terms of my own numbers. I don’t think it is about Cristiano.
"Before he came I was taking the penalties but I had two chances to take them last season and I missed both. So I cannot blame Cristiano for taking penalties, especially when he scores them.
"When I missed against Arsenal in April, it was him who gave me the ball and said, ‘Go yourself and score’. I missed but I felt that he trusted me to be the one to step up in the big moment. So I don’t think it is because of Cristiano.
"It is because I didn’t do the best in myself in some moments to get goals or assists. In the national team, I play with him and when I score, he is on the pitch. To play with Cristiano as a No 10 is actually really good because players respect him so much that it creates more space, as the opponents are afraid of him taking the ball and scoring."
It is unfortunate for Fernandes that Ronaldo's first season back at United coincided with the club enduring a nightmare campaign, but a new era has now begun with Erik ten Hag in charge and that means there will be no more excuses for him not to perform.
United won four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2021 by defeating Arsenal and the good feeling has returned, which means he will be now able to excel alongside Ronaldo if what he's maintained about their relationship is true.
The jury remains out on whether Fernandes and Ronaldo can play together - they both have something to prove.
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