Bruno Fernandes has marked six years at Manchester United since his transfer from Sporting CP.
As the Portuguese talisman, Fernandes has emerged as United’s most impactful player, earning the Player of the Year accolade four times. This season, he stands a strong chance of winning the annual award again, though he faces stiffer competition, notably from Bryan Mbeumo, who currently leads the club’s goalscoring charts.
Throughout his tenure at United, Fernandes has frequently been the player to rescue the team, contributing to victories in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. His competitive spirit shines through, especially in his captaincy, where he often engages with referees—a quality that often goes unnoticed.
United supporters will undoubtedly hope that Fernandes’ competitive drive inspires his teammates, particularly one player who thrives in training: Joshua Zirkzee.
Surprisingly, Zirkzee, despite being less prominent in the starting lineup, has emerged as one of United’s most competitive players during practice sessions. The 24-year-old Dutch forward has netted nine goals since joining United at the start of the 2024/25 season, showcasing his versatility in various attacking roles, although he has yet to secure a consistent position in the team.
Recently returning from injury, Zirkzee expressed a desire to remain at United, even amidst interest from Serie A clubs. In a recent TikTok challenge with Sports Direct, Mbeumo revealed intriguing insights about the United dressing room, naming Zirkzee as the squad’s most competitive player in training, a choice that surprised many who expected him to name Fernandes.
Given Zirkzee’s limited playing time this season, his chances of showcasing his competitive nature at the upcoming World Cup appear slim. Ronald Koeman is unlikely to select a player who isn’t regularly featured in their club lineup.
In another light-hearted moment, Mbeumo has embraced the title of “worst dancer” at Manchester United. Since his summer transfer to Old Trafford, he has frequently entertained fans with his dance moves alongside teammates Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha.
When questioned about the squad’s dancing skills, Mbeumo candidly acknowledged his shortcomings, stating, “I think I can put myself in this. I like to dance, but I’m not really good.”
