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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has insisted he could consider following in the footsteps of former team-mate Juan Mata and playing for Australia at some point in his career.
Fernandes’ current United contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027 and his future at the club is likely to be a hot topic in the coming months.
The Portugal international turns 31 in September and will understandably be starting to think about how he wants the final stages of his professional football career to unfold.
He revealed in an interview with Optus Sport that he might consider a move to Australia after several conversations with close friend Mata, who currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mata left United in 2022 to join Galatasaray, where he won the league title in his only season in Turkey. He then moved to Japan and joined Vissel Kobe before moving to Australia in September 2024.
Speaking to Optus Sport, Fernandes said he is in regular contact with the Spaniard, who has only positive things to say about where he is at.
“It’s a really good friendship. “He is someone I have looked up to since the first day he arrived at the club.”
“He has really good energy, always goes above and beyond, and is a really smart guy. This is someone who has created something very special with me and I am very happy to have had the opportunity to meet him. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play with him. Because I learned a lot with him, not only about football but also about life.”
“I’m still talking to him to try and improve on certain areas where I think he can help me and I’m very happy to have someone like him who has done such a great job in football to talk to me.”
Asked if he would like to play in Australia, Fernandes replied: “After sending a video about the lifestyle, the golf, the beach, the stadium, all the fans and what he goes through on the pitch.” I could think about the club and everything.”
“It would be a much better option if he still lived there. Because he said he loved the country and the culture. He told me he would regret not coming to Australia earlier in his career.”
“He is a person who can feel how happy he is when he is in one place, and I think Juan is that person now. He’s really happy to be there. That person only said nice things to me. Apparently I was here at Christmas when it was very windy and cold and he sent me a video of himself living in front of the sun and the beach. “It was really beautiful.”
Fernandes and United are back in action on Thursday when they face Rangers in the Europa League.
Featured Image Carl Recine (Getty Images)
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