Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was observed attending a Portuguese second division football match this past Sunday, utilising his weekend off from Premier League commitments. The 31-year-old midfielder travelled back to his native Portugal following United's 1-1 draw with West Ham United last Tuesday, a result that concluded interim manager Michael Carrick's four-match unbeaten streak.
Fernandes Returns to Portugal During Break
With Manchester United eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Brighton last month, the team enjoyed a rare weekend without a scheduled fixture. Fernandes capitalised on this break by returning home, where he surprised supporters by appearing at a Liga Portugal 2 encounter. Images circulated showing Fernandes in the stands at Estadio Capital do Movel, wrapped in a green blanket alongside family members, as Pacos Ferreira played to a 0-0 draw against Torreense.
Supporting a Longtime Friend
According to reports from SportTV, Fernandes attended the match specifically to support his close friend and Pacos Ferreira player, Francisco Ramos. Ramos, 30, returned to Portugal last summer after a two-year spell with Polish club Radomiak Radom. The bond between Fernandes and Ramos dates back to their time together in Portugal's youth national team system, a connection that has remained strong over the years.
Following the goalless stalemate, Ramos expressed his appreciation for Fernandes' presence, stating: "He is always special. He is someone connected to me and my family. In addition, it is always special to have a figure of this stature from our football watching us. He values Portuguese football, he values Pacos de Ferreira, and I'm happy to have him close."
Manchester United's Recent Form and Upcoming Fixtures
Fernandes is expected to return to the United Kingdom shortly as Manchester United prepare for their next Premier League clash against Everton on Monday. The team resumes action following a 13-day break after the West Ham draw, which saw them maintain fourth position in the league standings.
Despite the extended unbeaten run in the league now stretching to nine matches, United nearly suffered their first league defeat of 2026 against West Ham. Benjamin Sesko's 96th-minute equaliser, converting Bryan Mbeumo's delivery, salvaged a point after Tomas Soucek had put West Ham ahead in the 50th minute.
Carrick's Mixed Feelings
Speaking after the West Ham encounter, interim manager Michael Carrick acknowledged conflicting emotions about the outcome. "It's mixed feelings," Carrick said in his post-match press conference. "We know we weren't quite at our best, and credit West Ham for that. We can be better; the boys are frustrated and disappointed, which is good to see. We found a late goal; it's a great moment and another positive. We don't want to have to pull on it and use it too often, but in the grand scheme of things, a point is something we can take. When you assess games over a five-match period, to only have one draw is a big positive, but it's mixed feelings."
The sight of Fernandes supporting grassroots Portuguese football during his time off underscores his enduring connections to his homeland, even as he focuses on Manchester United's crucial Premier League campaign ahead.
