Bruno Fernandes says he'd target his biggest Manchester United teammates in training to prepare for the rigours of the Premier League.
Fearing he might be out-muscled in the English game, the skillful playmaker has revealed that he used to target "big" players in training to ensure he would not be bullied in matches.
Fernandes told Soccer AM: "I like to mess with the big ones so you get used to being bullied in the games.
"One of the ones I would always mess about with was Eric Bailly.
"Always in training, I would play as a No 10 and he would play as a centre-back and he has to jump on me.
"I was always playing one-touch and he kicked me so many times.
"And every time that I pass the ball to do a one-two he would always put me on the ground."
Recalling their training ground tussles, Fernandes added: "He used to say, 'Every time you get the ball - the first touch - I have to put you on the ground or you will run away from me'.
"Even on the training ground, I would know he is coming and instead of moving backwards, I would run forward so he can't kick me."