“I’m Only Scared of That Guy – and Not Bruno Fernandes”: Pep Guardiola Reveals the One Manchester United Star Who Keeps Him Up at Night
In the ever-heated rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United, words can be as powerful as goals. And when Pep Guardiola — one of football’s most revered tactical minds — speaks about fear, eyebrows are bound to be raised. But what really grabbed headlines this week was a candid confession from the Spaniard. In a rare moment of raw honesty, Guardiola revealed the one Manchester United player who genuinely worries him when it comes to derby day.
“I’m only scared of that guy — and not Bruno Fernandes,” Guardiola told reporters after City’s recent training session, with a wry smile. “Whenever we play United, I always ask my staff to make sure we have a plan for him. He’s the one who can disrupt everything we try to build.”
This unexpected admission sent shockwaves through both the blue and red halves of Manchester. Not because Bruno Fernandes isn’t a respected player — he’s undoubtedly one of the most creative midfielders in the Premier League — but because Pep, a meticulous planner who rarely singles out opponents with such emotion, openly admitted to fearing someone other than the Portuguese playmaker.
So who is this mystery United player that even Guardiola fears?
According to multiple sources close to the club and Guardiola’s coaching staff, the man in question is none other than Marcus Rashford — the electric forward whose pace, directness, and unpredictability have often caused problems for City’s usually rigid defensive line.
Pep reportedly elaborated further in private discussions, saying, “He’s got this explosiveness that’s hard to contain. One mistake, one bit of space — and he’s gone. You can prepare all you want, but if Rashford is in form, he’ll find a way.”
It’s no secret that Rashford has a history of tormenting City’s defense, especially in counterattacks. His ability to glide past defenders with sheer speed, coupled with a lethal eye for goal, has made him a persistent threat in the Manchester Derby. While Bruno Fernandes is seen as the orchestrator, Rashford is the executioner — the one who turns midfield creativity into goals.
What makes Guardiola’s comments even more intriguing is that he rarely gives his rivals such psychological boosts. He has previously praised players like Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, and Kylian Mbappé, but to openly admit fear? That’s a new level of respect.
United fans have taken to social media with pride, hailing Rashford as their “Derby Day Demon.” One fan tweeted, “If Pep’s scared of him, you know Rashford is still elite. Form is temporary, fear is forever.” Another wrote, “Guardiola ignoring Bruno to single out Rashford? That’s the biggest compliment we could get.”
But not everyone at United will be pleased with the snub to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese captain, known for his passion and influence, may take this as a challenge to prove Guardiola wrong in the next encounter. One could expect Fernandes to turn up the intensity, eager to remind City’s boss that his creative spark is just as dangerous as Rashford’s speed.
Guardiola’s statement, deliberate or not, has added another layer of fire to the already combustible rivalry between the two Manchester giants. As the next derby approaches, fans will be watching closely to see if Rashford can once again justify Guardiola’s fear — or if Bruno Fernandes will seize the spotlight and flip the narrative.
One thing’s certain: when Pep Guardiola admits fear, the football world listens.