“People have an opinion about me and I can’t change that,” says Fernandes

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on his career, family, and mindset in a revealing interview with BBC Sport’s Kelly Somers.

The 31-year-old Portugal midfielder, who has scored 99 goals for the Red Devils since joining five years ago, reflected on his childhood as a passionate dreamer, always carrying a ball and playing with older children at his first club, Infesta. “It made me more strong mentally to understand that you’re going to have this kind of challenge through your life,” Fernandes said.

He credited his parents and wife for keeping him grounded, while former Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin helped shape his professional journey. Fernandes described consistency on the pitch as the hardest part of football, stressing the importance of thinking for the team and maintaining focus in every moment.

On fatherhood, he said he balances discipline with a soft heart, teaching his children that achievements must be earned. Addressing public perception, Fernandes said: “People have an opinion about me and I can’t change that. They have the freedom to think the way they want about me as I have the freedom to think about them.”