Bruno Fernandes has named not one but FOUR Sporting CP players who could play in the Premier League.
Fernandes is on international duty after guiding Manchester United to the FA Cup semi-finals following their dramatic victory over Liverpool.
Portugal face Sweden on Thursday before taking on Slovenia next Tuesday.
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Ahead of their friendlies, Fernandes fielded questions from reporters during pre-match media obligations.
And he touched on his old side as he was asked about their current season and squad.
Fernandes was also pressed on the Sporting players who could leave the club for the Premier League.
The Man United captain named Viktor Gyokeres, who joined last summer from Coventry City, Pedro Goncalves, Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand.
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"Gyokeres is one of them, he’s scored a lot of goals, but I think Pedro Goncalves has shown great dynamics over the years," he revealed. "This season is probably the one in which he’s played best, but as his numbers have dropped since the first season, people... What’s normal, he’s created a very high standard of goals and assists, so the pressure on him is very high.
"However, I think that Pote has been more influential in the team’s play now than he was when Sporting were champions, and he scored a lot of goals. This confidence that the coach has in Trincao means that he’s back to being the player he was when he left Braga for Barcelona."
Fernandes, who left Sporting for Man United in January 2020, added: "Obviously, Gyokeres scoring so many goals means that he sometimes falls by the wayside. Inácio has grown enormously and part of that is down to being in the national team and playing.
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"Coates is always the pendulum in that defence because of his experience and his ability to be calm in difficult moments. The two in midfield.. I love Sporting’s midfield. I love Morita and Hjulmand. They’re two vital players in Sporting’s game, especially when they have to have more of the ball and be more tactically organised."
Goncalves and Gyokeres have previously been linked with Man United, who have reportedly kept tabs on the Sporting pair.
And Morita and Hjulmand have impressed for Sporting this season, enhancing their reputations in the process.
The Sporting quartet could be doing the rounds in the rumour mill once the summer transfer window reopens.
Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Football