Comparing Bruno Fernandes’ stats with & without Ronaldo in the team | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes are undoubtedly two of Manchester United’s best players – but can the Portuguese duo play well together?

Fernandes joined United in January 2020 and immediately established himself as their talisman, registering 40 goals and 25 assists in his first one-and-a-half seasons as Old Trafford.

Ronaldo then made his dream return to United in the summer of 2021 and scored a brace against Newcastle on his second debut.

“Of course, that was never in doubt,” Fernandes said after that game when asked if he and Ronaldo could play together.

“Good players can be put together and always play well. Some days you can play well, some other days no. But it is not because one is closing the space of another. It’s because football is like that sometimes.

“Everyone knows what Cristiano Ronaldo brought for the club and we are really happy to have him. The most important, as he will say, is the result for the team. Good players can always play well together.”

But United’s form has nosedived in recent months and Fernandes hasn’t hit the same heights this season, with some critics suggesting that Ronaldo’s arrival has caused those struggles.

We’ve taken a look at Fernandes’ United record in 2021-22 when he’s playing alongside Ronaldo and compared it to his stats when Ronaldo isn’t playing.

When they are on the pitch together

Fernandes’ minutes played: 1470

Goals: 2 Assists: 7

Penalties scored: 0

When only Fernandes is on the pitch

Fernandes’ minutes played: 590

Goals: 5 Assists: 1

Penalties scored: 0

Minutes per goal: 118 Minutes per non-penalty goal: 118 Minutes per goal or assist: 98.3