Borges Fernandes, Bruno Miguel is a current Manchester United midfielder and playmaker.

Bruno was a Boavista youth product who signed for Serie B club Novara in August 2012 at the age of 17. Initially homesick, he gradually adapted to his new surroundings, learning Italian and guiding the Blues to fifth place before joining Udinese in Italy’s top flight.

Sampdoria signed him in the summer of 2016 after three seasons in Udine delivered 11 goals in 95 appearances. Bruno gained international fame as a member of Portugal’s Olympic squad before captaining the Under-21s at the UEFA European Championships in 2017.

Bruno returned home after a single season with Sampdoria, signing for Sporting Clube de Portugal. Although he had usually played as a deep midfielder in Italy, Fernandes took on the role of a playmaker at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, recording 16 goals and 20 assists in his first season in the Primeira Liga.

Fernandes earned his first senior international cap as a result of the record, as well as a Portuguese League Cup victory, and he was later included in Fernando Santos’ 2018 World Cup team in Russia.

Bruno, named Primeira Liga Player of the Year in July 2018, continued where he left off the previous season, scoring 20 league goals and assisting another 13. The Lions won the Portuguese Cup and League Cup double, and the midfielder, who was elected club captain after Nani’s departure, won Portugal’s top individual award once more.

In June 2019, he was a member of the national team squad that won the inaugural UEFA Nations League, Portugal’s second major championship.

After a solid first half of 2019/20, in which he took Sporting to the UEFA Europa League final 32, he completed his move to Old Trafford on January 30, 2020. Two days later, he made his Reds debut in a 0-0 tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It wasn’t long before the Portuguese made an impression. He made his first assist in his second game, a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, and then scored his first goal (from the penalty spot) in his third appearance. That was only the beginning of what was to come: Bruno finished the season with 12 goals and eight assists and was probably the driving force behind United’s stunning run to third place in the Premier League.

Despite playing only half of the season, he was awarded Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year.

Bruno started the 2020/21 season in excellent form as well, scoring a thrilling 100th-minute winner from the spot at Brighton. During the first half of the season, Fernandes was United’s – and maybe the Premier League’s – star performer, winning the club’s and league’s Player of the Month honors in November and December.

Bruno scored 28 goals in leading the Reds to second place and the Europa League final, breaking Frank Lampard’s Premier League record for a midfielder in a single season. In front of returning Old Trafford fans, he received his second Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, as well as the club’s Goal of the Season award following a magnificent effort against Everton.

Bruno signed a new long-term deal with the club in April 2022, honoring his efforts since joining from Sporting. The contract is set to last through 2026, with an option for an additional year.