Sofyan Amrabat has hailed Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a “real winner” and one of the best players he’s ever shared a dressing room with. The Moroccan midfielder, now at Real Betis, looked back fondly on his time at Old Trafford, singling out the Portuguese playmaker for his leadership, talent, and professionalism despite enduring his own difficult loan spell.
Fernandes receives huge praise
Amrabat, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Manchester United, has spoken glowingly about his former teammate Fernandes. The Moroccan international praised the United captain’s quality and mentality during an appearance on the YouTube show Bij Andy in de Auto, describing him as “truly fantastic” and “a real winner.” Amrabat’s comments come more than a year after leaving Old Trafford, where he made 30 appearances across all competitions before moving to Fenerbahce and later joining Real Betis.
The 28-year-old midfielder reflected positively on his short time in England despite an underwhelming individual campaign. He joined United on transfer deadline day from Fiorentina for a €10 million (£8.6m) loan fee under Erik ten Hag but was not retained permanently after the season ended. Still, Amrabat insisted he learned valuable lessons from his time at Old Trafford and particularly admired Fernandes’ professionalism and influence on the pitch.
His praise comes at a time when Fernandes continues to polarise opinion among fans and pundits. While his technical brilliance and attacking output are rarely questioned, his visible frustration and demanding leadership style have often been criticised.
AdvertisementAFPAmrabat lavishes praise on Portuguese
Speaking on Dutch YouTube show Bij Andy in de Auto, Amrabat said: “It was really quite something. United is still a truly massive club in every way.”
“He’s a truly great player, truly top-notch. Is he my best teammate ever? I’ve played with a lot of good players, and I don’t want to discredit anyone, but he was truly fantastic. He was also a good guy, very helpful, and a real winner.”
Amrabat’s heartfelt comments underline the respect Fernandes commands within the dressing room, even among those who only shared it briefly. His words offer a different perspective to the public narrative around Fernandes, focusing on his leadership and human qualities rather than the occasional emotional displays that draw criticism. For Amrabat, who has played in multiple leagues and represented Morocco at the World Cup, such praise carries considerable weight.
Transformative Fernandes
Fernandes’ impact on Manchester United since joining from Sporting CP in January 2020 has been transformative. The Portuguese international has amassed 299 appearances, scoring 100 goals and providing 87 assists across all competitions. Operating as the team’s creative lynchpin, Fernandes has been directly involved in nearly every major attacking sequence during his tenure, combining technical precision with an unrelenting competitive edge. His influence extends beyond statistics. Fernandes has lifted both the EFL Cup and FA Cup while also claiming multiple Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards, a testament to his importance and consistency.
His leadership qualities, however, often split opinion — some view his visible frustration and vocal demands as signs of passion and accountability, while others see them as signs of poor temperament. Regardless, his productivity and durability have been indispensable, making him one of United’s most impactful midfielders of the modern era.
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Fernandes continues to serve as Manchester United’s on-field leader under Ruben Amorim, who has built his system around the Portuguese playmaker’s vision and work rate. The midfielder remains integral to United’s attacking blueprint, orchestrating transitions and dictating tempo in key matches. Despite occasional scrutiny over his temperament, Amorim and his coaching staff have publicly supported their captain, describing him as “an example of professionalism and intensity.”
As for Amrabat, his journey has taken him from Old Trafford to Real Betis, where he is attempting to rebuild his form and reputation after mixed spells in England and Turkey.
