Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has insisted he could consider following in the footsteps of his former teammate Juan Mata, and play in Australia at some point in his career.
Fernandes’ current contract with United is set to expire in the summer of 2027 and over the coming months, his future at the club is likely to become a big talking point.
The Portugal international turns 31 in September and understandably, he may have started thinking about how he wants the latter stages of his life in professional football to unfold.
He spoke to Optus Sport and revealed that he may contemplate moving to Australia after several conversations with close friend Mata, who is currently playing for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mata left United in 2022 to join Galatasaray, where he won the league in his only season in Turkey. He then moved to Japan, joining Vissel Kobe before his transfer to Australia in September 2024.
Fernandes told Optus Sport that he has been in regular contact with the Spaniard, who has had nothing but positive things to say about where he is.
“It’s a really good friendship. He’s someone I’ve looked up to since day one that I arrived at the club.”
“A really good energy, always on top of everything, a really smart guy. Someone I have created something very special with and I’m very happy to have the chance to meet him and have the chance to play with him because I learned so much with him – about not only football but also life.”
“I still talk with him to improve certain things that he thinks can help me and I’m very happy to have someone like him that’s done great things in the world of football to have words with me.”
Asked if he’d be open to playing in Australia, Fernandes replied, “After the videos that he sends me about the lifestyle, about playing golf, being on the beach, the stadium, all the fans, the conditions that he has at the club and everything, I could think about it.”
“If he’s still there living it will be an even better option because he told me he’s in love with the country, in love with the culture. He’s been telling me he probably regrets not coming earlier in his career to Australia.”
“He’s someone that you can feel how happy he is in a place and I think at the moment Juan is that kind of person. He’s really happy to be there. He’s been only telling me good things. Obviously Christmas time I was here with a lot of wind and cold and he was sending me videos of the sun and him living in front of the beach – it was beautiful.”
Fernandes and United are back in action on Thursday when they take on Rangers in the Europa League.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
