For many young aspiring footballers in the late 2000s there were plenty of star players to take inspiration from.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were already world class and only getting better, while in the Premier League the likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were among the global poster boys of the show.
But for Bruno Fernandes it appears his heroes were a little more leftfield.
According to former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, Manchester United's current starman idolised him as young teenager, by getting posters of him and signing him as a player on the popular video game series Football Manager.
'He (Bruno Fernandes) told me that, as a kid, he had a poster of me', Ireland told the Athletic.
'He said that when he played Football Manager he always signed me. I was like, "You had me on a poster? And, seriously, you sign me for FM?" I mean, how weird is that?'
Fernandes and Ireland now live on the same road - just three doors apart - following the Portugal midfielder's move to Old Trafford in January and it appears they have become good friends.
During the coronavirus lockdown, Ireland stated that the duo had been helping each other keep fit by training together via social distancing guidelines and that the 25-year-old had even offered to have a 'kick-about' with Ireland and his son Jacob in the future.
Ireland was a highly promising talent at City after making his debut in 2005 and his standout performances over the next five years earned him international recognition with the Republic of Ireland as well as a move to Aston Villa.
However, form and injuries have hampered the 33-year-old since and he has not played since leaving Stoke City following their Premier League relegation in 2018.
Bruno Fernandes meanwhile is hoping to continue his unbeaten start at United when they return to action on Wednesday evening.
In a pivotal game regarding Champions League qualification for next term, he scored a crucial equaliser from the penalty spot against Tottenham on Friday night to rescue a point for his side.
Now United face another rival for a Champions League place in Sheffield United as they seek a return to Europe's top table next term.