Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes's home burgled during Champions League trip
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The gist
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes's Cheshire home was burgled while he was in Italy for a 4-1 loss to Como.
United, winless in seven, kept him as captain after he criticised the manager's tactics.
Background
Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United's captain and a Portugal midfielder, 32, who joined from Sporting in January 2020 and was Premier League player of the year last season after breaking the competition's assist record. United are winless in their last seven matches, their longest such run since 2015, and frustrations have spilled out publicly: defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's summer recruitment eight days before Fernandes said the side "have to be more brave" after the Como defeat. The burglary is the latest in a series of break-ins at footballers' Cheshire homes.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026Fanatik reports Galatasaray are ready to move for Fernandes, saying he has struggled this season and lost patience with the United hierarchy; his contract expires next summer with a club one-year option.
- Oct 21, 2026United lose 4-1 to Como in the Champions League in Italy; after the match Fernandes criticises head coach Michael Carrick's tactics, saying the side "have to be more brave".
- Oct 21, 2026Cheshire Police are called at 8.30pm BST to reports of "suspicious activity" involving three unknown men at Fernandes's home; a number of items are stolen and an investigation is launched.
- Oct 22, 2026United confirm Fernandes will remain captain and will not be disciplined for his comments, despite internal disappointment.
- Oct 23, 2026Carrick opens a news conference with an emotional statement of more than five minutes, admitting "we've lost our way" and insisting "it's not divided".
- Oct 24, 2026United are tipped to sell Fernandes in January, with reports on a potential new contract.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Premier League winner and pundit Kasper Schmeichel said Fernandes's comments "expose" United's problems, that as captain he needs to think about the team, and that his body language "wasn't great".
- Official
- Carrick said the squad is "not divided", that the club has "lost our way" and must get back to doing what it does best.
- Caution
- An unnamed source who has worked with Fernandes told BBC Sport his Wednesday comments were "an assassination".
Still unverified
Fanatik reported that Fernandes has lost patience with the United hierarchy and could be ready to move on; Football365 reported United have been tipped to sell him in January. It is also unclear whether he will be picked for Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth.