“Bruno Fernandes introduced me to everyone…” – Man United starlet recalls joining first-team training

One Manchester United starlet has recalled what it is like to join first-team training as Bruno Fernandes played a captain’s role in helping him.

United have introduced countless young talents into the first-team squad over the last few years, with some talented groups are looking to continue the club’s greatest honour.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have been the two standouts since Erik ten Hag became manager, but the Dutch coach likes to bring many Academy players in and out of his training sessions to get a better look at their development.

One of the talented teenagers who has tasted what first-team action could be like is Jacob Devaney, a 17-year-old defensive midfield player.

Devaney was a crucial part of the Treble-winning Under-18s side last term, which included the likes of Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley, and his form was rewarded with inclusion in first-team training.

What Devaney said about training with United’s first-team

Interestingly, Devaney’s father, Martin, is the assisting coach of Barnsley, a team that Jacob faced with the Under-21s last month and the side United play in the Carabao Cup this week.

While Devaney played 90 minutes during the 3-2 win against his father’s team in August, he is unlikely to be involved with Ten Hag’s squad on Tuesday night.

Nevertheless, his father is incredibly proud of his development as a footballer so far but explained that Jacob doesn’t share many details when it comes to first-team training at Manchester United.

In an interview with The Irish Post, the Barnsley assistant boss said: “At the same time, he didn’t say much for someone who supports United. I said to him, ‘Wow Jacob, what’s it like?’ and he said, ‘Yes, Dad, it’s alright; it’s not bad’.

“I said, ‘Well, what happened then?’ He said, ‘Well, Bruno Fernandes came up to me and introduced me to everyone’. You know what they’re like; they’re 16 and 17.

“He takes it all in his stride. It wasn’t until he actually signed that a couple of the coaches, Travis Binnion and Nick Cox, who look after boys transitioning from U18s, U21s, and the first team, said really kind words about how Jacob took it all in his stride and did really well.

“Jacob doesn’t say much; he’s very modest. I was taken aback by it and asked why he didn’t say anything. He just said, ‘You know, Dad, it is what it is; you just get your head down and train’.

“It was an unreal experience for him. These kids are being primed for the first-team. They give them a taste and then bring them back into the underage fold. It’s very important.”

No surprise from Bruno Fernandes

It is no surprise that Bruno Fernandes, as club captain, makes an effort behind the scenes to help youngsters settle into the environment when they join up with first-team training.

Those outside the club will call for the Portuguese midfielder to lose the armband because he likes to moan at the referee every now and then.

Yet, for those who support United, it was no surprise when Fernandes became captain and it was clearly the right decision looking back.

Since joining the club in January 2020, the midfielder has learned what you need to do as a United player, and he continues to do those things, even behind closed doors.

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