Bruno Fernandes issues heartfelt tribute to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne received a heartwarming message from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in light of the Manchester City legend’s exit announcement last week.

After 10 years at the club come the summer, the Belgian footballing legend will depart the Etihad Stadium upon the expiry of his existing contract, having last extended his terms until the end of the 2024/25 season back in 2021.

The exit of De Bruyne from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad is likely to be the first of several big name alterations within the roster, as Txiki Begiristain and the incoming Hugo Viana prepare to construct the next phase of the Etihad’s side.

While Kevin De Bruyne will no doubt be the most high-profile exit of the summer given his status at the club, there could yet be further departures with doubts looming over the likes of Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Ilkay Gundogan from midfield alone.

And the outpouring of emotion concerning De Bruyne’s exit announcement has been widespread across the game and not just on social media, with fresh comments issued from Manchester City’s cross-town rivals.

Speaking in the aftermath of Manchester United’s 0-0 draw at home to their cross-town rivals City on Sunday afternoon, Bruno Fernandes was asked of the legacy to be left behind by Kevin De Bruyne when he leaves the Etihad Stadium this summer.

“He made the Premier League better. If Manchester City is where they are and Manchester United hasn’t won as many trophies in this period, it’s also because of Kevin De Bruyne,” the Portugal international told broadcast media at Old Trafford.

He continued, “He deserves all the credit, he’s done fantastic. 10 years in the Premier League is a lot. They have decided to part ways – I don’t know from which side – but Kevin keeps being world class.

“It was a pleasure to watch him so close, it was a pleasure to play against him, and he’s going to stay in the history of the Premier League, not only Manchester City.”

Fernandes and De Bruyne went head-to-head as captains of their respective teams on Sunday afternoon, with both sides undergoing a season of various challenges and significant underperformance in the Premier League in particular.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping for an end-of-season resurgence to give him and his coaching staff some hope of their plans bringing Manchester United back towards their glory days, currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

As for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, they remain embroiled in an intense fight for UEFA Champions League football for next season, lying fifth in the top-flight table but having played two games more than rivals Newcastle United – who sit just two points behind.