Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes reacts after the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in south London on May 22, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes could get a new squad number this summer.
The Portugal international looks set to take up the no.8 shirt which will be left vacant after Juan Mata’s departure.
In the Nations League last night, the Portuguese Magnificio starred in a 4-0 win over Switzerland and played a role in one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals.
Fernandes revealed in a Twitter Q&A that the no.8 as his ‘dream number’, but it has been occupied by Mata since 2014. The Spaniard is one of several United midfielders leaving the club this summer, alongside Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.
Fernandes said (via Daily Mail): “I hope to get it (no.8) one day… but for now I hope to have my brother Juan Mata close to me.”
That said, Fernandes also revealed that his current shirt number, no.18, does still carry significance.
“No 18 is also the birthday of mu wife and another reason is, when I grew up, I saw Paul Scholes playing in it and for me having this shirt and this number of an amazing player is something I will enjoy. I have a lot of responsibility.
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“The last three years I have played as No 8 because it’s the number my father had as a player and my birthday [date] and it’s the number I like.”
It may be worth keeping all of this in mind when the new kits are released. I’m sure there will be children asking their parents for the new jersey, along with Bruno Fernandes’ name on the back, but I would hold fire for a few weeks to see if he switches squad numbers.
