Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo opened up on a key footballing idol for both of them ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League final clash against Tottenham.
Manchester United are in the Europa League final and the Red Devils could try to salvage their lacklustre season by lifting major silverware at Old Trafford.
The 2024-25 Europa League campaign is United’s last chance of securing their return to Europe for the 2025-26 campaign with Champions League football.
United have had a poor Premier League campaign in the current season and Ruben Amorim’s men languish in 16th place ahead of the Europa League final in Spain.
The Red Devils suffered their 18th Premier League defeat of the current campaign last Friday after United fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
United are winless in their last five Premier League matches and the club have lost four of their last five fixtures in the league alone amid the looming European final.
Tottenham have also had their woes in the Premier League this season and Spurs are 17th and have lost a whopping 21 times alone in the league campaign.
Ange Postecoglou’s men beat Bodo/Glimt across both legs – home and away – in the semi-finals of the Europa League to ensure their place in Wednesday’s final.
Man Utd stars Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo felt the same way about Brazil legend Ronaldinho
Both Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo are part of the Manchester United first-team squad for the Europa League final clash on 21st May against Tottenham.
United manager Ruben Amorim will be hopeful for the Red Devils to put on a convincing performance and secure the Europa League trophy in Bilbao.
Both Fernandes and Mainoo were among the United players who took part in a Q&A segment with the Europa League’s official social media channels.
United players were asked to name their idol growing up and Fernandes picked Ronaldinho before Mainoo later appeared in the clip and selected the Brazil legend.
Ronaldinho was once linked with United during the iconic reign of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time.
Fernandes admitted that another footballing idol emerged in his life alongside Ronaldinho and he named none other than ex-United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
“My first one [was] Ronaldinho. Obviously, then growing up Cristiano [Ronaldo],” he said in the Europa League’s TikTok clip.
Ruben Amorim sends a message to United fans ahead of the Red Devils’ crucial Europa League showdown with Tottenham
Speaking to MUTV ahead of the 2025 final, Amorim insisted that the Red Devils needed to deliver the trophy for United fans amid a rough season for the club.
“It’s hard,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“It’s not enough, winning the Europa League. It’s not enough for all the support they [the fans gave us this season].
“With our fans, it’s not a surprise for me – they will go swimming if needed to, even without a ticket! I already know.
“A big thank you for everything they did during the season. We will do our best to give something to them.”
United and Tottenham’s Europa League final clash at the San Mames Stadium is slated for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK.
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