Bruno Fernandes has recalled sharing shooting tips given to him by Serie A legend Antonio Di Natale with young Red Omari Forson.
Our no.8 had the opportunity to play alongside Di Natale during his time at Udinese, where the former Italy striker remains the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
The latter’s wisdom in front of goal, therefore, is quite the privilege for Bruno to have been partial to and is something that the United midfielder says he has since passed on.
Fernandes explains in the second part of his exclusive interview with Wes Brown that he recently referenced what his ex-team-mate told him, during a conversation with 19-year-old Forson, who has been among the goals for our Under-21s this season.
“Obviously, for me it was good to play in different leagues [and get] experience in Italy, experience in Portugal,” Bruno began.
“Now being in England, it’s really good because you experience different ways to think, different ways to play.
“And I always try to get the mix of that together and obviously all that I have, all that I’ve learned within Italy. The other day, I was talking with Omari [Forson] before the break when we do the shooting practice, and I was telling him: ‘Look, [Antonio] Di Natale was always telling me this, when you’re in certain positions, short steps, the way you kick the ball, everything.’
“And I said to him: ‘Obviously with me it works. You have to try to find your way. But if these small things that I tell you are going to help you, I’m going to be happy. If not, you have to find a way that’s going to fit you.’
“So, everything that I can help them [with], even if it’s with small things, I’m going to try.”
In the sit-down conversation with Brown, Fernandes expresses how he is always keen to share advice to help his younger peers, whether it is part of his responsibility as club captain or not.
The chat then goes on to preview some big fixtures to come for United, with Manchester City at Old Trafford next up on Sunday, a contest that Fernandes needs no introduction to the importance of.”Obviously, City is going to be a big, big game,” he said.
“Everyone knows the rivalry between Man City and Man United.
“Obviously, we want to win that game because we know how much it means for the fans, how much it means for the club.
“We have experienced that last season, and the home game was amazing, the atmosphere was really good.”
