Cristiano Ronaldo quickly re-established himself as Manchester United's main man after returning to the club last summer - a mantle previously held by Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes had been United's talisman pretty much ever since he arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon back in January 2020. But the Portuguese midfielder's form - and influence - has dropped significantly since he was joined in Manchester by his compatriot.
While it's more than likely just a coincidence that Fernandes has faltered since Ronaldo returned to the club, that hasn't stopped some people from coining the theory that the duo are incapable of playing effectively together. However, United icon Paul Scholes has debunked that theory by highlighting how the pair combined to put Sheriff Tiraspol to the sword in midweek.
Ronaldo, who returned to the squad after being left out of the match against Chelsea after storming out of Old Trafford last week, got on the scoresheet in the 3-0 win with his 701st club-career goal - and it was Fernandes who teed up the veteran striker.
Highlighting the link-up, Scholes told BT Sport: "He [Ronaldo] had plenty of chances and created a lot for himself. Eventually his goal came. It is a fantastic ball from Bruno but we all felt his goal was coming after having so many chances. He missed a chance earlier and booted the ball so far away because he was frustrated that he could not get that goal, but to react to the header for his goal, that is a real centre-forward’s goal and something maybe Marcus [Rashford] could learn from him."
Although Scholes highlighted a positive moment, others have questioned the relationship between Fernandes and Ronaldo on the pitch; particularly as the former has struggled to emulate the feats he previously achieved in a Manchester United shirt.
Join the debate! Do you agree with Scholes on Ronaldo and Fernandes? Let us know here.
Just last month, Fernandes himself spoke out against the theory that he and Ronaldo are incapable of playing together. In an interview with The Athletic, he insisted that his own dearth of goals and assists in recent months is in no way linked to Ronaldo - and that the pair are both capable of thriving together in the same team.
He said: "Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don't think [it is fair]. I just had a poor season in terms of my own numbers. I don't think it is about Cristiano or myself.
"Before he came, I was also taking the penalties, but I had two chances to take the penalties 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 and score 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."
