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Bruno Fernandes isn’t one to take a back seat. Even when his body might need it, the Manchester United star keeps pushing forward — and he’s made it clear he’s not listening to any calls for rest.
Not from his manager, not from the physio, and certainly not from critics.
The Portuguese playmaker was at the heart of United’s 3-0 win over Athletic Club in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final.
He scored twice and helped guide the team to one of their most convincing performances of the season. But it was his words after the game that really made the headlines.
“The manager and physio say that I need to relax and rest, but I say no,” Fernandes said. “When I die, I will have a lot of time to lay down and rest.”
Now that’s commitment. Or, as some might say, that’s the kind of player who’d mark his man at his own funeral.
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Bruno Fernandes opens up on how he deals with pressure
Fernandes has already played over 4,400 minutes for United this season. He’s missed just a handful of games, mostly due to suspension.
His numbers are as impressive as his energy: 19 goals, 18 assists, and countless moments of leadership.
He’s also now the most prolific contributor in Europa League history, with 27 goals and 18 assists in the competition. Not bad for someone who supposedly needs a nap.
Despite the calls from manager Ruben Amorim for a bit of rest, Fernandes insists he thrives under pressure. “To be honest, I feel the pressure, every penalty. That's the good thing of football. It's what we have to enjoy,” he told TNT Sports.
United’s win was helped by an early goal from Casemiro and a red card for Athletic’s Dani Vivian, who brought down Rasmus Hojlund in the box. Fernandes calmly converted the spot kick and added another before the break.
Now, with a strong lead heading into the second leg at Old Trafford, Fernandes shows no signs of slowing down. Or sitting down.
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Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
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