Manchester United set to repeat the Cristiano Ronaldo formula

Manchester United could have a new feeder side at this rate.

In August of 2003 Manchester United faced Sporting Lisbon in their final showdown before the commencing of the Premier League season. It was expected to be a straightforward affair. Sporting Lisbon were giants in Portugal but were otherwise minnows in European Football. The Red Devils expected a roll-over.

Clearly Cristiano Ronaldo did not read the script. The then fresh faced teenager tormented the United defence. With quick darting runs forward and tricks which bamboozled his red-faced opponents he helped Sporting to a 3-1 victory.

In the dressing room, a humbled United side were awed by the impact of the teenager. With gleaming eyes they begged Sir Alex Ferguson to bring him to Old Trafford. The Scotsman must have been impressed too, he sanctioned a £12.4 million bid for Ronaldo, which seems like a bargain now, but at the time it made the Portuguese international the most expensive teenager on the planet.

Four years later, Ferguson would recruit another Sporting winger from the green and whites when he brought the dazzling Nani to the club.

It would be an astute transfer once more with Nani becoming an integral part of the United squad and a loyal servant.

Over a decade later, Bruno Fernandes arrived from Sporting in a major January transfer and he would herald a new era at United. With the Portuguese in midfield the Red Devils’ attacking trio would thrive into prolific goal-scorers.

Fernandes’ impact has been so effective that the new United midfielder has been tipped as a potential candidate for the PFA Player of the Season award.

It’s evident, United have a new star in Fernandes and once again he derived from Sporting.

It is a relationship which stretches back for almost two decades now and which began with that special performance from a young boy all the way back in 2003.

The common adage goes that you must strike while the iron is hot and with the success of Bruno Fernandes it seems United are looking to repeat the formula this summer.

According to A Bola via Sport Witness, the Red Devils are interested in both Eduardo Quaresma and Nuno Mendes from the Portugal outfit.

Eduardo Quaresma is an 18 year old centre back who has made 9 first team appearances for Sporting this season. Nuno Mendes is a left-back who is also 18 years of age and also has 9 first team appearances.

Both Eduardo Quaresma and Nuno Mendes are highly rated and have impressed for Sporting in their fledgling careers so far. They play in positions which are problem areas for United and they could be valuable assets for the Red Devils.

If United make a move, there will be undoubted Ronaldo comparisons.

Would you like the club to sign Eduardo Quaresma and Nuno Mendes?