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Played for both · 6 famous players

Players who played for both Manchester United and Sporting CP

In short

6 famous players have played for both Manchester United and Sporting CP, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Bruno Fernandes and Peter Schmeichel. 1 of them played for Manchester United first; 5 started at Sporting CP.

Did you know?

  • Peter SchmeichelEarliest on this list to play for both: Manchester United (1991–1999), then Sporting CP from 1999.
  • Bruno FernandesLatest on this list: Sporting CP first, then Manchester United from 2020.
  • NaniMost separate spells: 4 across the two clubs (Manchester United 2007–2015; Sporting CP 2005–2007, 2014–2015, 2018–2019).

All 6 players, most famous first

  1. Cristiano RonaldoPortugal · Forward · born 1985
    Manchester United
    2003–2009, 2021–2022
    Sporting CP
    2002–2003
  2. NaniPortugal · Midfielder · born 1986
    Manchester United
    2007–2015
    Sporting CP
    2005–2007, 2014–2015, 2018–2019
  3. Bruno FernandesPortugal · Midfielder · born 1994
    Manchester United
    from 2020
    Sporting CP
    2017–2020
  4. Peter SchmeichelDenmark · Goalkeeper · born 1963
    Manchester United
    1991–1999
    Sporting CP
    1999–2001
  5. Marcos RojoArgentina · Defender · born 1990
    Manchester United
    2014–2021
    Sporting CP
    2012–2014
  6. Gabriel HeinzeArgentina · Defender · born 1978
    Manchester United
    2004–2007
    Sporting CP
    1998–1999

Years are club stints from Wikidata (snapshot 2026-09-28); a loan that runs straight into a transfer is shown as one stint. “from YEAR” means no end year is recorded — it is not a claim about a current club.

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Questions

How many famous players have played for both Manchester United and Sporting CP?

6 in our data, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Bruno Fernandes and Peter Schmeichel. The list covers famous footballers only — players covered by at least 45 language editions of Wikipedia — so it is not every player who ever wore both shirts.

Who was the first player on this list to play for both clubs?

In our data, Peter Schmeichel: Manchester United (1991–1999), then Sporting CP (1999–2001).

Where does this list come from?

Club careers from Wikidata, the open database behind Wikipedia (public domain, CC0), snapshot 2026-09-28. Senior spells count, loans included when Wikidata records them; youth and reserve teams do not. Found a mistake? Tell us via the About page.