Bruno Fernandes
MUN
Attacking Midfielder
Creative Playmaker
Sep 8, 1994 (32)
Right
6'0"
146 lb
Assists twice in Nations League win
Fernandes (fitness) started and delivered two assists during Thursday's UEFA Nations League win over Denmark.
Analysis: Fernandes overcame a minor issue that forced him to miss the previous international match for Portugal, returning to a primary role and playing until stoppage time in Thursday's clash. The playmaker should hold high attacking value for both club and country going forward, possibly having his playing time managed only in the most favorable games. He has recorded four goals and one assist across six matches played for Manchester United between EPL and UCL action this season.
Managing ongoing fitness issue
Fernandes (fitness) will remain with Portugal despite missing Sunday's 2-1 win over Norway and could return for Thursday's Nations League clash against Denmark, according to ESPN.
Analysis: Fernandes has been managing the issue since Manchester United's Champions League win over Sabah FK on Sept. 10 but has continued to play through it at club level. He passed late fitness tests before completing 90 minutes against both Manchester City and Fulham, in addition to playing 20 minutes against Brighton in the Carabao Cup. Fernandes has remained highly productive despite the fitness concern, recording four goals and one assist in six appearances across all competitions this season. He could return against Denmark, though Portugal may continue to manage his workload.
Hopes to be fit for Denmark clash
Fernandes (fitness) missed Sunday's 2-1 win over Norway as a precaution, and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus hopes he will be back to full fitness for Thursday's Nations League clash with Denmark, according to his club.
Analysis: Fernandes has contributed four goals and one assist in six appearances across all competitions this season for United, and Portugal manager Jorge Jesus said he preferred not to risk him in Oslo after he played in Thursday's 1-0 win over Wales with a fitness issue. The coach has since spoken to the midfielder, with the plan being for an immediate return in Denmark, and Portugal will look to continue their perfect start to the group with him back in the fold.
Sitting out Sunday
Fernandes (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's match against Norway.
Analysis: Fernandes was not with his group for training ahead of Sunday's contest, and that has left him out, with an undisclosed injury too much to play through. He had previously picked up the injury with his club and had been playing through it, so the hope is that this is just cautionary, not risking an important player for the club. Portugal will play twice more before the end of the break, potentially giving the midfielder a chance to return during the break.
Unlikely to face Norway
Fernandes did not train with the rest of the group in Portugal's final session before Sunday's Nations League trip to Norway, instead completing specific recovery work after arriving from Manchester United with an injury and playing through the pain for around three matches, with coach Jorge Jesus saying Saturday that he is unlikely to be risked, per Record. "With Bruno it depends on the treatment between now and tomorrow and how many hours he has to recover or not. He came in with an injury from United and told me he has been playing through that pain for about three matches. It was one of the reasons he didn't play at his level against Wales. He was my player and I know him inside out. I've already spoken to him. I'd rather not take a risk in this match and have him clean and physically ready for the Denmark game,"
Analysis: Fernandes has been playing through an injury sustained at Manchester United for around three matches, with coach Jorge Jesus saying the issue contributed to his performance against Wales. He now appears increasingly unlikely to feature against Norway after missing the final group training session and instead completing specific recovery work, further supporting the coach's earlier comments about not wanting to take a risk with him. Judging by both Jesus' words and Fernandes' modified training, he seems likely to be rested for the match as Portugal look to have him fully recovered and physically ready for the Denmark game.
12 crosses in draw
Fernandes generated three shots (zero on goal), 12 crosses (two accurate) and eight corners in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Analysis: Fernandes led the United attack once again Sunday, recording 12 crosses and created four chances on the attack. He also took three shots but failed to put any on target. Outside of his incredible hat-trick plus assist performance versus Ipswich, Fernandes has not recorded a goal contribution in his other four Premier League appearances. He'll hope to get back on track after the international break.
Whips in six crosses
Fernandes recorded one shot (one on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 1-0 defeat versus Manchester City.
Analysis: Fernandes would deliver plenty of service for United per usual Sunday, with the attacker recording a chance created, three corners and six crosses in the loss. This comes as his second straight league outing without a goal contribution following a hat trick against Ipswich. That said, he has four goal contributions in four appearances.
Scores in big UCL outing
Fernandes scored a goal while tallying three shots (two on goal), four chances created and two crosses (one accurate) in Thursday's 4-0 win over Sabah. He was spotted limping after leaving the stadium, per The United HQ, but no injury has been officially confirmed.
Analysis: Fernandes put in another impressive display as a key figure in his team's attacks, finding the net after a run into the opposing box in the 42nd minute of the victory. He also completed 89 percent of his passes and was fouled twice, although he surprisingly didn't take set pieces, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha favored for those tasks this time. The Portuguese took some intense knocks and appeared to be fatigued after the game, with the issue unlikely to become a significant problem but possibly leading to minute management during the busy schedule.
Quiet in draw
Bruno Fernandes recorded four shots (zero on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Everton.
Analysis: Fernandes was quiet throughout Sunday's draw. He failed to register a goal contribution and didn't put any of his four shots on goal during the draw. It was a quiet showing from someone who is normally one of the most involved players in the league. It's more likely than not just a blip, as Fernandes is still one of the highest floor, and ceiling, plays every week.
Three goals, one assist against Ipswich
Fernandes recorded three goals and one assist from eight shots (three on goal) and three chances created during Sunday's 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.
Analysis: Fernandes put in a magnificent display of his finishing quality, converting a penalty kick in the 61st minute and capitalizing on two other chances inside the box in the 40th and 68th minutes, respectively, of the weekend's clash. The playmaker also set up Bryan Mbeumo with a long pass during the final stages of the match. The hat trick places Fernandes at the top of the competition in terms of goals scored after two matches played. Given his talent and his vital role in set pieces, he's likely to retain high offensive value in upcoming contests.
Creates three chances
Fernandes took three shots (one on goal), crossed six times (two accurate) and created three chances during Saturday's 2-0 loss to Hull City.
Analysis: Fernandes was his typical active self going forward finishing with the second most shots and chances created on the team while whipping in the third most crosses. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the performance was that Fernandes ceded the majority of corner kicks to Bryan Mbeumo taking just two of the six opportunities.
Reports back for preseason
Fernandes has returned to Carrington for preseason training ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, the club announced.
Analysis: Fernandes contributed one assist across five appearances for Portugal at the World Cup, which ended without a deep run for the national team, before returning to resume his role as United's creative hub after a season in which he logged 3,066 minutes across 35 Premier League starts and produced nine goals and 21 assists, an assist tally among the league's best backed by 136 chances created and penalty duty. Under coach Michael Carrick, he is expected to remain the focal point of United's attack, while continuing to build up his fitness as preseason progresses.
Sends in five crosses in loss
Fernandes registered one shot (zero on goal), five crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Monday's 1-0 defeat versus Spain.
Analysis: Fernandes attempted the most crosses on the team despite lacking set-piece volume against Spain. However, it was his third straight match without a direct contribution, and he assisted only once over 423 minutes of play in his entire World Cup participation. The playmaker did rack up nine shots (three on target), 23 crosses (five accurate) and six chances created in that span. He'll hope to bounce back in the next Premier League season following his record-breaking production of 21 assists in 2025/26.
Whips in three crosses
Fernandes had two shots (one on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 2-1 victory over Croatia.
Analysis: Fernandes would be held in check most of the match by Croatia, recording two shots and three crosses before he was surprisingly taken off. He would be a part of a quadruple substitution in the 62nd minute, with Portugal switching up the pace as they found themselves a goal down. That said, the midfielder who looked to be queued up for a major World Cup remains at one goal contribution through four starts.
Provides midfield spark
Fernandes had two shots (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Colombia.
Analysis: Fernandes registered two shots (one on target), two crosses, two corners and one chance created across his 90 minutes in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Colombia, consistently looking to find pockets of space in behind Colombia's organized midfield without ever producing the decisive creative moment his side needed to break the deadlock. The Manchester United midfielder made also two tackles, contributing defensively in a performance that summed up Portugal's collective frustration against a disciplined Colombian block. His creativity and direct running from an advanced midfield role will be essential against Croatia in the round of 32, where Portugal will need his best to unlock a side that will sit compact and defend with discipline.
Provides assist in victory
Fernandes assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Tuesday's 5-0 victory against Uzbekistan.
Analysis: Fernandes had a hand in two of Portugal's five goals, first slicing open the defense with a perfectly weighted through ball for Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal just before halftime before whipping in the corner that ultimately deflected off Abduvohid Ne'matov for an own goal in the 60th minute. He was pulling the strings throughout the match and also floated a clever chipped pass over the Uzbekistan wall in the 57th minute that set up Ronaldo for a near hat trick, only for Ne'matov to come up with a strong save. Fernandes and Portugal now sit on four points in Group K and will head into their final group-stage clash against Colombia with qualification firmly in their own hands.
Busy in draw
Bruno Fernandes generated two shots (zero on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against The Democratic Republic of The Congo.
Analysis: Fernandes sent in six crosses and whipped in three corners during Wednesday's draw, but he couldn't get on the scoresheet. The attacking midfielder is the maestro that pulls the strings for Portugal, but the attack looked disjointed and poor throughout the match. Fernandes will continue a big role both from open play and set-pieces as Portugal continue in the group stage.
Heartbeat of Portugal's midfield
Fernandes has been named in Portugal's World Cup squad and is expected to be the creative driving force at the heart of Portugal's midfield throughout the competition.
Analysis: Fernandes ends what has been another exceptional season with Manchester United, recording nine goals and 21 assists across 35 Premier League appearances in a campaign that has further cemented his status as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The captain brings creativity, leadership and an unquenchable desire to influence every game he plays, making him the single most important player in Portugal's setup and the one opposing teams will be most desperate to nullify. Fernandes heads into the World Cup in outstanding form and will be the creative heartbeat of a Portugal side capable of going all the way in the competition this summer.
Caps brilliant campaign
Bruno Fernandes scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and four chances created in Sunday's 3-0 win over Brighton.
Analysis: Fernandes added a goal and assist Sunday, capping off his incredible campaign with nine goals and 21 assists. That puts him right at the top of the record books for assists in a single Premier League season, and shows just how brilliant he can be. Fernandes took home Premier League player of the year honors and should be a major contender again in 2026/27.
Bags assist
Fernandes assisted once to go with five shots (one on goal), nine crosses (three accurate) and five corners in Sunday's 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Fernandes had yet another impressive match as the 31-year-old continues to prove he has no sign of slowing down, recording five shots, eight chances created and nine crosses. He would also add an assist, finding Bryan Mbeumo in the 76th minute for the eventual game-winner. The Portuguese midfielder now has eight goals and an insane 20 assists in 34 appearances this campaign.
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