CRISTIANO RONALDO has discovered he isn’t the only Portuguese maestro at Manchester United these days.
The 36-year-old might have the history at Old Trafford but his countryman Bruno Fernandes certainly has the skills to match for the Red Devils.
While Ronaldo was famous for his swerving freekicks during his first spell at United, it looks as though he may be playing second fiddle to Fernandes from set-pieces this season.
That’s if this unseen footage of the two in shooting practice is anything to go by.
Warming up before United’s 4-1 demolition of Newcastle on Saturday, Fernandes and Ronaldo can be seen taking freekicks.
In a video captured by an eagle-eyed United fan, first Fernandes steps up to curl the ball sweetly into the top-right corner.
To cries of ‘go on Ronny’, Ronaldo then takes his turn in front of the Stretford End.
The forward takes aim at the near post but can only strike the upright as he pulls his shot an inch too far to the left.
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Famed for his attention to detail in training, Ronaldo then collects the ball for another attempt.
The footage feeds into a wider issue for United whereby boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to decide who should be the club’s regular penalty taker.
Fernandes has been the main man from 12 yards since his arrival in January 2020.
But the prolific Ronaldo would likely expect to take the penalty mantle, even though his record now falls short of his team-mate’s.
Ronaldo eventually had the last laugh in Saturday’s friendly competition when he netted twice against Newcastle, while Fernandes could only manage one.
But Fernandes’ sublime skills had United fans salivating, with one claiming he should win the Ballon d’Or after a deft touch under a high ball.
The way these two gel will be central to Solskjaer’s plans for a Premier League title challenge this season.
Ronaldo returned to the club in August from Serie A giants Juventus after 12 years away.
And Sir Alex Ferguson has signalled his impact on players such as Fernandes could be the key to a first league trophy since 2013.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
