Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has unveiled a high-octane five-a-side lineup featuring some of the most illustrious teammates from his career with the Red Devils and the Portuguese national team. During a wide-ranging discussion with Rio Ferdinand on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents this Friday, the midfielder revealed a selection so heavily weighted toward attacking flair that it would surprise even the most offensive-minded tacticians.
The Defensive Foundation
Fernandes admitted his reluctance to prioritize defense, begrudgingly selecting a single player to anchor the backline. After debating between Raphael Varane and Pepe, he chose the veteran Portuguese center-back due to their extensive history together. Fernandes shared a humorous anecdote regarding Pepe’s post-retirement fitness, noting he is “tired” of seeing the defender’s relentless cycling marathons on social media, yet credited him for being a vital mentor during his early days with the national squad.
The Midfield Maestros
The midfield consists of two players Fernandes regards as technical masters:
Juan Mata: Fernandes labeled the Spaniard one of the most gifted individuals he has ever shared a pitch with, emphasizing that Mata’s footballing intelligence and character make him a perfect fit for the small-sided game.
Paul Pogba: Despite Pogba’s injury-plagued second stint at Old Trafford, Fernandes described the Frenchman as the most complete midfielder he has encountered. He recalled his days in Serie A, admitting that trying to mark a peak-Juventus Pogba felt like a “child being held at arm’s length” due to the physical and technical mismatch.
The Strike Force
The attacking duo combines global stardom with a “hipster” cult legend:
Cristiano Ronaldo: An automatic inclusion, Ronaldo was hailed by Fernandes as the greatest goalscorer in football history.
Antonio Di Natale: In the biggest surprise of the draft, Fernandes selected the Udinese icon over modern superstars. He praised Di Natale’s extraordinary loyalty and clinical consistency, noting that the Italian remained a top-tier scorer for a club that often struggled near the bottom of the table.
The Final Lineup
Defender: Pepe
Midfield: Juan Mata, Paul Pogba
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Antonio Di Natale
Notably, Fernandes opted to omit a goalkeeper entirely, preferring to load his team with creative and scoring talent based on a blend of personal friendship and pure footballing chemistry.
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