Bruno Fernandes, Portuguese midfielder, detailed his method for growing as a leader under the spotlight and managing both the digital environment and the club's historical examples.

"Being captain of Manchester United involves facing constant scrutiny," he stated during his interview with YouTube – Rio Ferdinand Presents and the club's official channels. There, he analyzed the challenges of leading a historic team, the usual comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, and his view on loyalty in football.

"The pressure comes from within me; no one demands more from me than myself," said Fernandes, highlighting his self-criticism and drive to improve. He explained that his goal is to contribute the maximum possible to the collective, even if that leads him to make mistakes.

The Portuguese international does not avoid comparisons with Ronaldo, whom he described as "the greatest goal scorer in history" and expressed his pride in sharing a national team with him. He also recalled historical club figures like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham: "Being close to them is imposing, but at the same time it motivates you to look up and try to reach them."

During the chat with Rio Ferdinand, the captain emphasized the value of loyalty and the careers of footballers like Francesco Totti, Antonio Di Natale, and Giggs himself: "Totti at Roma, Giggs at United, Maldini at Milan... I grew up with those examples," he said on the club's official channel.

On leadership, Fernandes defined his role as a combination of demand and closeness: "I am very demanding of my teammates. The day I stop doing it, it will be because I no longer believe in them." He emphasized that sacrifice and intensity are indispensable conditions at United: "Here sacrifice is mandatory; intensity and commitment can never be lacking."

The Portuguese player noted that he tries to treat everyone equally, from the footballers to the off-field staff: "I don't see anyone as below or above me, except the bosses or the manager," he stated, according to the club's official channels.

Regarding the impact of social media and media perception, Fernandes acknowledged that criticism in the digital sphere tends to be more negative: "The digital environment is more negative because it generates impactful headlines. In the stadium, however, I perceive real support: the fans know how much I strive and what I desire to win here," he said.

It affects him when his effort is questioned: "It hurts to hear that I don't run or that I should have given more. I never leave a match thinking I could play another; I always give everything. However, I accept criticism from those who played and understand the game, because I try to learn from them."

His commitment was reflected in the decision to stay at the club despite receiving offers: "The club asked me to stay, and I responded, because they gave me the opportunity and I wanted to give something back to Manchester United," he recounted. While he acknowledged he hasn't won as many titles as he would have liked, for Fernandes, "sometimes what's essential isn't the number of trophies, but how you respond when the club goes through difficult times."

Fernandes stressed self-demand as a personal driver: "I generate the pressure myself; no one demands more from me than I do," he insisted. From the start of his career, he aimed to surpass his own numbers each season, which allowed him to prepare for external pressure.

The balance between praise and criticism, as well as the family environment, are key for the captain: "My wife keeps my feet on the ground. Even if I receive the player of the year award, she points out where I failed; that balance helps me keep perspective," he told the club's channels.

On the sporting side, Fernandes explained that he adapts his football to the team's needs and his teammates' qualities: "I try to find out where they want the ball and put it there. With Rashford, for example, I connected with his runs; with Cavani, I knew his movement in the box was lethal."

The importance of taking risks is central to his philosophy as an attacking midfielder: "If I stop taking risks, I am no longer myself on the pitch. Risk is part of my essence and necessary to create danger and help my teammates."

Referring to his transition to a deeper position, he pointed out the new challenges he faces: "Playing further back forces me to measure risks, but I still look for the forward pass. The manager wants me, when I can, to position myself as a number 10 between the lines and make the most of my creative ability."

Regarding the dressing room atmosphere, Fernandes observed changes with the arrival of new generations: "The young players bring energy and relax the environment. I also learned to loosen up more, though a few minutes before the match, I already detach and focus on the game."

Being present in difficult times and offering his best, beyond results, constitutes for the Portuguese player the fundamental contribution a leader can give to the club. Sacrifice, intensity, and self-demand define Bruno Fernandes' path at Manchester United.

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