Top News

Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode Podcast after winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes recounted a funny story about his son's favourite footballer. In a chat with host and lifelong Liverpool supporter Adebayo Akinfenwa, the Portugal playmaker admitted he was stunned to learn that his own son would rather copy Reds midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. Fernandes also spoke about the pride he feels after setting the all-time Premier League assists record.

Football's fiercest rivalries can often fade in the eyes of children

The long-standing rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool remains one of the fiercest and most uncompromising in world football. For players turning out for either side, those dividing lines are crystal clear. But children, with their innocence, often pay no heed to such deeply rooted allegiances.

Fresh after being named PFA Players' Player of the Year, United skipper Fernandes is now dealing with exactly that situation. The Portugal international has fully established himself as a modern hero at Old Trafford, but even in his own home, the appeal of Liverpool's current midfield stars has clearly made its mark.

Fernandes opens up on his son's fondness for Szoboszlai

In an exclusive conversation with Adebayo Akinfenwa on a special episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Fernandes disclosed the surprising Premier League rival who has caught his son's imagination.

After the Wycombe Wanderers icon, who grew up supporting Liverpool, revealed that his own 11-year-old son actually looks up to the United captain, Fernandes responded with an amusing story of his own. The Portuguese midfielder explained how a recent game of football at home made him realise that his child is a fan of Liverpool's midfield star.

He said: "Yesterday my son was playing football and he was telling me he was Szoboszlai. When he said Szoboszlai I was like; 'What?!'"

Personal standards matter more than individual honours

Fernandes' outstanding creativity on the pitch has secured his place among the Premier League's greatest-ever playmakers. Having become United's main creative force, the Portuguese star reflected on the landmark moment when he moved past Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne to break their long-standing shared assists record.

He said: "Obviously it's very special, breaking a record that was there for many years. Kevin was able to equal that and it was something unbelievable for me. The day I got 14 or 15 assists, my highest in the Premier League, for me that was already an achievement."

Fernandes stressed that his main focus is always on improving himself rather than chasing personal milestones, adding: "What I put in myself is to be a better version of myself and not trying to beat someone else. Then, as I got closer everyone started talking a lot about it and you look at that, you see that, but it was never an aim to try to overtake Thierry and Kevin. Because it's part of my game it came and I was very happy. I wouldn't put a number (in terms of rating) on the season I had but personally it was a very successful one."