Why Bastian calls Bruno Fernandes 'the brain'

Our former no.31 was famed for his energy and quality on the ball, and was a pivotal part of Germany’s World Cup-winning side in 2014.

In a recent interview with club media, and with the 2022 World Cup in full swing, Bastian heaped praise on a current Red whom he feels makes the rest of our team tick.

"I call him ‘the brain,’” Bastian said of United’s no.8 Bruno Fernandes.

“Like he literally moves so smart on the field and do you know what, you actually like kind of underestimate [his work rate]. Of course, he's making his assists, or he is scoring the goals and makes great passes but Bruno Fernandes, he is working very hard.

“His numbers are high [for the distance] he runs on the field, and I really like watching him because whatever he does, it makes sense.”

Bruno and Diogo Dalot are currently representing Portugal in Qatar, where Fernando Santos's side have reached the quarter-finals.

Schweinsteiger believes Portugal’s team is talented, and that United’s players are contributing to their success.

“I saw them against Switzerland, when they beat them 6-1,” he said of one of the favourites to go all the way in Qatar. "He [Fernandes] played amazing and it's also interesting, Dalot was doing a great job as a full-back there. [He was] working hard and pushing forward as well, but he does, first of all, the defensive work.

“For me, Portugal really has convinced me as well because, on the bench, they have players like [Joao] Cancelo, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Rafael Leao. I mean, incredible.

“But the coach there is giving them real discipline. That's rule no.1. He can't put all the offensive pieces on the pitch obviously, and that's really interesting to see."

Portugal face Morocco in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals today (Saturday) at 15:00 GMT. You can follow our coverage of the action on ManUtd.com and in the United App.