Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told talkSPORT that he is rooting for Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes at Euro 2020, despite the playmaker not really ‘there’ for his country in their first two group stage matches.
Mourinho, who spent two-and-a-half years at United, never had the pleasure of managing Fernandes since he moved to Old Trafford in January 2020 — which was some time after the Glazers’ axe fell on the so-called Special One’s head.
Being sacked was not a new experience for Mourinho after two spells at Chelsea came to an abrupt end, not to mention Real Madrid, United and most recently Tottenham Hotspur. He has agreed on a new job with AS Roma ahead of the new season.
You’d think Mourinho would be busy preparing his squad for the new season. He will expect Roma to buy into his methods and we all know it’s only a matter of time before he starts isolating some of their current players.
Speaking to talkSPORT presenter, Laura Woods, Mourinho said: “Portugal at its highest level can beat anyone.
“But we need to play with eleven players, in these two matches Bruno Fernandes was on the pitch but not playing.
“I hope he turns up against France, because he’s a player with incredible potential.
“He can pass, he can score. He can get penalties, he can score penalties, he can score free-kicks.
“He has a lot to give, but the reality is in these two matches he was not there.”
Fernandes started against Hungary and Germany but has so far failed to make an impact in the Euros in terms of goals and assists.
I thought he played well in their opener versus Hungary.
Reigning European champions Portugal won their first match before falling to defeat against Germany.
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