Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has taken the Premier League by storm since joining the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in January last year.
But things could have turned out very differently for the Portuguese international midfielder as it has been revealed he could have joined Newcastle United instead.
Fernandes has made an unprecedented start to life in English football, winning his fourth Premier League Player of the Month award inside a calendar year on Friday - the first player in history to do so.
His impact at Manchester United has been transformative and his 27 goals and 17 assists in 48 appearances has helped guide Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to the top spot in the Premier League table.
But ahead of their huge clash with Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez (who also managed Liverpool) has been previewing the game for Times Sport.
And the Spaniard has sensationally revealed that Newcastle were monitoring Fernandes during his time in charge of the Magpies and, at one stage, they believed they could land the former Sampdoria and Udinese star on a free transfer.
"Bruno Fernandes was a player we were following at Newcastle United," Benitez revealed.
"He was at Sporting Lisbon and he had an issue with his club. There was a chance he could leave on a free.
"We were progressing but the problem was that the matter would go to court and that would complicate it. The club didn’t want that.
"He has been crucial for (Manchester) United. He changed everything with the way he is playing - assists and goals. He has 'personality'.
"He tries to look for the right passes. In recent games, I saw him going to press with determination and intensity."
