Bruno Fernandes has taken Manchester United fans on an emotional trip down memory lane after the Portugal star opened up on his happy experience in childhood.
The 29-year-old Manchester United midfielder has been a core part of the club’s first team since his stunning move from Sporting CP in 2020.
Bruno Fernandes has impressed at times in the current campaign, but the United captain has also been targeted with his criticism over his consistency.
Fernandes’ antics on the pitch have also been brought into question after the Portugal international was promoted to the club captaincy last summer.
Despite United’s struggles this season, the former Sporting CP and Udinese player has shown his importance when he is on the pitch for Erik ten Hag’s team.
Fernandes scooped the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the third time in his career, putting him one shy of United legends David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The United captain will now lead his side out to Wembley on Saturday for the FA Cup final against Manchester City, with kick-off slated for 3pm UK time.
Man Utd star Fernandes reveals childhood memory
Bruno Fernandes will be hopeful of capturing the second piece of major silverware in his Manchester United career this weekend.
The Red Devils avoided an FA Cup upset against Coventry City in the semi-finals last month and reached their second consecutive final under Erik ten Hag.
United played against City in the 2023 FA Cup final at Wembley and Red Devils boss Ten Hag walked away empty-handed after Pep Guardiola’s men won 2-1.
Speaking ahead of the 2024 FA Cup final, Fernandes inked a piece for The Players’ Tribune and opened up about his life both on the pitch and off it.
The United star revealed during his childhood that he would turn to his football titles on Sega or PlayStation consoles and it was a happy experience for him.
Fernandes admitted that he was a big fan of the football franchises Championship Manager and Pro Evolution Soccer (now known as eFootball PES).
The Portugal midfielder reminded United fans of a core memory by talking about his experience of managing ‘Man Red’ in the fan-favourite Master League on PES titles.
Man Red was the name used in previous PES titles due to Japanese publisher Konami not having the licence for the United name at the time.
“If my mother made me stay inside for some reason, then I was playing football on the Sega or the PlayStation,” Fernandes wrote.
“I’m not talking about FIFA. I’m talking about the classics. Championship Manager and Pro Evolution Soccer.
“Facu. Roberto Larcos. Castolo. Koko. Minanda. The legends of the Master League. I was managing ‘Man Red’ to glory whenever I was not at the park.”
Fernandes on his ‘happiest place’
Outside of his time playing on Championship Manager or PES, Fernandes insisted that his “happiest place” was his time in the park.
“And when I was at the park? That was my happiest place,” he continued.
“One of the first parks with the artificial turf that they ever did in Portugal was near my house in Porto. It was the astro mixed with sand. We called it ‘O Sintetico.’
“Sometimes when I go home now, I drive by it and I park my car there just to feel the nostalgia.
“When I see a father kicking the ball with his son at that park, it makes me think of all the incredible times we had – the friends we made, the rivalries, the 5-v-5s, all the things you miss from the old times, when you were saying, ‘I’m Cristiano today!’ and your friends were saying, ‘I’m Messi! I’m Deco! I’m Figo!’”