Porto boss Vitor Bruno is well aware of the threat his compatriot Bruno Fernandes poses on Thursday night, knowing his team will have to ‘control’ the Manchester United captain.
The Red Devils travel to Portugal for the Europa League clash on Thursday evening after starting their European campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.
Porto got off to a worse start as they were beaten 3-2 at Bodo/Glimt, but they have had a solid start to their league campaign, sitting second in the table with 18 points from seven games.
Bruno would love to score a signature win over the struggling English giants but knows he will have to deal wit hone of Portugal’s finest to do so.
Fernandes has not been in his best run of form, but the Porto boss expects him to cause problems, especially as he used to play for rivals Sporting.
‘An international player is always a quality player,’ said Vitor Bruno. ‘Besides that, he also played in Sporting, so for sure he will want to make a great performance tomorrow.
‘The way he was sent off in the last match, I don’t think it was reasonable at all.
‘He is a very good player. A very, very good player. We must be very aware, control him, not let him do the way he likes to play, and always be ready to control his style of playing.
‘The way he passes the ball, the way he put something across the face of the goal, the way he can dribble and shoot… we cannot give him space.’
Bruno took over as Porto boss in June and sounds like he intends to enjoy the showpiece fixture, hoping for a glass of wine with Erik ten Hag afterwards.
‘I don’t know him. I haven’t met him yet, but I’d love to, really,’ he said. ‘There’s a coach in Portugal called [Carlos] Carvalhal, he coaches Braga and he worked in the Premier League and the Championship, and he also said, at the end of the match, they go together and drink a glass of wine.
‘If Ten Hag wants, the dressing room is open for him. A lot of respect. ‘