Bruno Fernandes has stated that Marcus Rashford cannot perform certain winger duties as effectively as Bernardo Silva.
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva have long been colleagues on the Portuguese national team, with Fernandes observing Bernardo’s versatility in playing both as a winger and in midfield. Bernardo has consistently delivered top-notch performances for both his national side and Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, often deployed as a striker at Manchester United, has primarily excelled in the role of a left-winger. Rashford’s adaptability and effectiveness in this position have been evident, contributing significantly to his team’s attacking prowess.
Rashford cannot be expected to perform at the same level as Bernardo Silva when he plays out wide, according to Bruno Fernandes, who made this explanation in an interview with the Portuguese publication A Bola.
He said: “And it’s not possible for us to play in the same way as Manchester City because Manchester City has supporting wingers, very good in one v one too but footballers who really like to play in support and also inside. I can’t ask [Marcus] Rashford and [Alejandro] Garnacho, pure wingers to play inside in the same way as others who perhaps started their careers as midfielders or as number 10s and fell to the lines. I can’t ask Rashford or Garnacho to do what Bernardo does when he plays as a winger.”
He added: “It’s a completely wrong idea because Bernardo knows how to be between the lines, he’s used to being in the middle and playing from the back is not as simple as it seems. People sometimes have this idea that all players have to do what others do.”
Bruno Fernandes commends Bernardo’s versatility
Caption: Bruno Fernandes highlighted Bernardo Silva’s superior ball retention and ability to navigate tight spaces, a skill honed through his midfield experience. Under Guardiola, Bernardo has flourished as a versatile player, comfortable across the front line and midfield, making him a natural fit for Man City’s possession-oriented play. While Rashford excels as a goal scorer, Fernandes suggests he could emulate Bernardo’s footballing intelligence and composure under pressure.