Bruno Fernandes left Portugal as a teenager to play in Italy, with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, before returning home to Sporting CP in 2017. At Sporting he became one of Europe’s highest-scoring midfielders.
Manchester United signed him in January 2020. Since then he has been the team’s main creative force, producing goals and assists consistently, and he was made club captain in 2023. He has won the League Cup and the FA Cup with United.
Fernandes is known for his ambitious passing, his penalties and his durability, rarely missing games through injury. He won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in 2019 and 2025.
Playing style
Fernandes is a creative attacking midfielder who produces goals and assists consistently. He is an ambitious passer, often attempting difficult through balls, and he has a powerful shot. He is one of the best penalty-takers in the world, known for his distinctive hop before shooting. He is also very durable, rarely missing games through injury. As captain he is a vocal leader who demands high standards.
International career
Fernandes made his Portugal debut in 2017 and has won more than 70 caps. He played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. He won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Career in numbers
Across 15 seasons of senior club football, beginning in 2012/13, Fernandes has played 624 matches and scored 195 goals for 5 clubs. His most productive season in front of goal was 2018/19, when he scored 33 times in 53 games for Sporting CP. His busiest campaign was 2022/23, with 59 appearances. So far in 2026/27 he has 4 goals in 7 appearances for Manchester United. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.
