Paul Pogba claims Bruno Fernandes would be a top-three contender for the Ballon d’Or if he played for Manchester City rather than Manchester United.
Under Michael Carrick, United has turned things around this season, and Fernandes has been crucial to the Red Devils’ nearly certain return to the Champions League.
With 18 assists this season, the Portuguese midfielder leads the Premier League, two short of the single-season record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
After Muzzy Izzet in 2003–04 (10), Cesc Fabregas in 2014–15 (11), and Mohamed Salah in 2024–25 (11), Fernandes is one of four players in the league to have 10 of his 18 assists this season come away from home.
Only Erling Haaland (30) has directly contributed to more Premier League goals in 2025–2026 than the 31-year-old, who has also scored eight goals in the English top division this season.
“Do you think Bruno, if he’s in the other team, he’s not in the top three, a Ballon d’Or player?” On the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba stated:He is in the top three of the Ballon d’Or if you place him in City.Bruno Fernandes, despite his stats, season, style of play, and everything else, you don’t think about yourself when you don’t win. It’s as if this is football and this is life.\
“I know he’s not physically the same as me but he cannot jump and recover the ball as I would do, but he can do everything.”He is capable of anything. As previously said, Bruno Fernandes is among the top three Ballon d’Or finalists at other major clubs.Bruno Fernandes will always be respected by football fans. It’s another matter entirely if you find his style appealing.Whether you enjoy his playing style or not is a matter of personal preference. However, football players will recognize this man as a quality player.
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