Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes' wait for his favoured No 8 shirt appears to be at an end with Juan Mata's departure from Old Trafford.
Fernandes has declared his desire to have the shirt number since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and even has the number tattooed on his arm, but it has been occupied by Mata since 2014.
Mata is one of several United midfielders leaving the club at the end of their contract, alongside Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, and club record signing Paul Pogba.
Fernandes was asked about his shirt number during a Twitter Q&A, saying: 'I hope to get it one day….. but for now I hope to have my brother Juan Mata close to me.'
But he also revealed that his current shirt number, No 18, does still carry a certain significance.
'No 18 is also the birthday of my 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.'
'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.'
Despite this preference, he has only actually played in the No 8 for his country for one season out of the 10 he has been playing senior international football, doing so in 2020/21.
Yet he looks set to get his wish for the Red Devils next season, as new manager Erik ten Hag sets out to rebuild his side after yet another disappointing season without a trophy.
United finished sixth last time out, only good enough to qualify for the Europa League alongside Arsenal, and ended up a massive 35 points behind bitter rivals Manchester City.
But Fernandes will be one of the players the Dutch manager will want to build his team around in his task to compete for titles alongside the likes of Liverpool and City.
Fernandes has been outstanding at times, and has managed double figures for both goals and assists in both full seasons he has spent at Old Trafford in all competitions.
yLacerr
0
Doesn’t deserve it yet. No trophies won yet for us. But our dumb fanbase will scream goals and assists
U came for me when u called me stupid bro!?? Cos I have a different opinion from yours makes me stupid??? Sorry if u feel triggered by the curse was just annoyed. But u don’t tell someone how to react when u started it first
Aghazzy
0
Doesn’t deserve it yet. No trophies won yet for us. But our dumb fanbase will scream goals and assists
LOL 😆 " you'll never know peace in your life and will die a miserable death " all because of a football argument you're wishing death 😅. well, I can't argue with you tho and it's appalling you can't hold a football argument without cursing. who ever you are, take a good look at yourself and ask if does it really warrant cursing or wishing death on someone because of a mere argument. I'm an adult and I believe you are too, prove me right by apologising for the insult then we can continue our mere football argument without plenty of insult, but if you can't i understand and I wish you well 🤗
yLacerr
0
you're just another stupid bias fan. when gundogan was in Dortmund or Modric in Tottenham how many trophies did they win? you just talk pointless without thinking. my question was tell me which other player has more goal contribution more than him, that means he's doing his best for the team and the other players need to step up to collectively win trophy for the club. if you don't score goals you won't win anything, he's doing his best which needs to be recognised.
Firstly you’ll never know peace in ur life and will die a miserable death. If u can’t read to understand don’t reply 1diot. Comparing a player that always has 75% pass accuracy as a midfielder and obsessed with goals and assists. Where was he when we lost Europa final to Villarreal? Where was he when we couldn’t qualify from ucl group stage until Ronaldo came? Where was he in all our semifinals and decisive matches? Keep celebrating mediocrity and thinking top4 is a trophy. Gundogan won league title twice with dortmund. Can’t argue with kids like u that thinks goal+assists not leading to anything is celebrated jog off Bruno dog
Aghazzy
0
Fool fanbase now happy with top4 like a trophy. Happy with stupid goals that achieved nothing. Where was he in every semifinal,final we got in? Hasn’t played ucl knockout in his career at 28, Couldn’t qualify for ucl knockout stage until Ronaldo arrived and you’re hyping goals and assists. Fools like u will compare him to the likes of debruyne. Does modric,kroos,gundogan etc score like him? Does that mean he’s good than them? Useless stat padding against small clubs. Grow up dude and stfu
you're just another stupid bias fan. when gundogan was in Dortmund or Modric in Tottenham how many trophies did they win? you just talk pointless without thinking. my question was tell me which other player has more goal contribution more than him, that means he's doing his best for the team and the other players need to step up to collectively win trophy for the club. if you don't score goals you won't win anything, he's doing his best which needs to be recognised.
tukcdstuy
1
one bad season and these fans acting like this🤦🏾♂️
yLacerr
0
stfu 🙄 tell me which other player has the kind of contribution he gives to the team. Has been the best player since he arrived from sporting, trophies are collective effort not Individual
Fool fanbase now happy with top4 like a trophy. Happy with stupid goals that achieved nothing. Where was he in every semifinal,final we got in? Hasn’t played ucl knockout in his career at 28, Couldn’t qualify for ucl knockout stage until Ronaldo arrived and you’re hyping goals and assists. Fools like u will compare him to the likes of debruyne. Does modric,kroos,gundogan etc score like him? Does that mean he’s good than them? Useless stat padding against small clubs. Grow up dude and stfu
rosclotu
0
hiokmopry
0
Concentrate on yr football rather than a Jersey number..
adedefender
3
After his performance for Manchester United this past season, he doesn’t deserve any number at all. Shirt without number
adedefender
0
Hope that number restores your lost form. Overhyped!
Jeremycamp
0
Bruno he is useless..he better not to get 8.
and you're blasting him for having just one Bad season
Jeremycamp
0
Bruno not good enough for no 8 shirt
yeah please enlighten us, who will be good enough for that number 8 shirt
Jeremycamp
0
Bruno doesn't deserve such number in man utd because,he is equally a disappointment at man utd
he just had one bad season, 1
Jeremycamp
1
Mata is out of the club now so he's free to have it.
Aghazzy
1
Doesn’t deserve it yet. No trophies won yet for us. But our dumb fanbase will scream goals and assists
stfu 🙄 tell me which other player has the kind of contribution he gives to the team. Has been the best player since he arrived from sporting, trophies are collective effort not Individual
yLacerr
2
Doesn’t deserve it yet. No trophies won yet for us. But our dumb fanbase will scream goals and assists
Sir_white
2
He absolutely DOES not deserve a number 8
tell me who deserves man utd number 8 Jersey than Bruno
Sir_white
2
Bruno not good enough for no 8 shirt
please who will be good enough to wear it ?
cuzdeiklru
3
Bruno doesn't deserve such number in man utd because,he is equally a disappointment at man utd
KingBobbychal20
5
Get your number 8 and get back to your form.
Licaclmnop
3
Bruno not good enough for no 8 shirt
Fukbeiktz
4
He absolutely DOES not deserve a number 8
Swayyyy
1
He should hv gotten it last year, but they extended Maya’s contract. It will be a good fit on him.
Cabacdeilr
0
hope his form will be back..
pudbdeistz
0
if the way you are saying that that is how you play football 😂😜 you should have been a great player
Tedadlnuy
0
Bruno he is useless..he better not to get 8.
I don't know why man united like this guy .it's true is wasted fool sperm.he better to go on loan
Matteg
1
Bruno he is useless..he better not to get 8.
wasted sperm fool
Tedadlnuy
2
Bruno he is useless..he better not to get 8.
adeniyi447
2
after holding my shirt number(8) for almost three years, brother mata that's the exit door
Ddjplm
0
He already earn the No 8 shirt He deserved the No 8 to make a progress at the club
He really help a lot. But he’s not a big match player
Ddjplm
0
He already earn the No 8 shirt He deserved the No 8 to make a progress at the club
He’s a gem 💎 in his first spell at the club
malone95
1
8 in chinese is Fortune...Riches....Tons of money
Planty
2
Better buy a better player for the 8 shirt
Planty
0
He already earn the No 8 shirt He deserved the No 8 to make a progress at the club
I don’t see how a shirt number will improve his performance. Once an average player always an average player.
Rotadkptz
1
Fred 8 , Kante 6 Mejbri 14
Semcprsu
5
who knows Fernandes may be ask to leave too? man united fans don't kill me
chrismeek001
6
❤️
GGMUSTAR
0
He already earn the No 8 shirt He deserved the No 8 to make a progress at the club
Yes it’s his
Ddjplm
2
He already earn the No 8 shirt He deserved the No 8 to make a progress at the club