Bruno Fernandes had an underwhelming World Cup campaign with Portugal directly after one of his strongest Manchester United seasons.
A 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 means that Portugal are out of the 2026 World Cup and Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are returning to Manchester United.
Fernandes dreamed of winning the World Cup with Portugal this summer, but it ended up being a disastrous campaign for his nation.
After losing to Spain, Fernandes questioned Roberto Martinez’s tactics and the overall approach from Portugal. Portuguese media believe they know the real problem.
Roy Keane says Bruno Fernandes called him up after his latest comments – Do you think the Irishman will change his punditry style?
Bruno Fernandes was mishandled by Portugal
There was talk of Fernandes on a Ballon d’Or push after his incredible record-breaking 2025/26 campaign with Manchester United.
Fernandes broke the Premier League assist record and headed to the World Cup full of confidence as one of the world’s best playmakers.
That fact remains, but there is no denying that he struggled to show his true level under Martinez.
Portuguese outlet A Bola dissected Portugal’s World Cup disappointment and decided that there was an “incomprehensible mechanical clash” involving Fernandes.
The report explained that Fernandes was deployed in an area of the pitch that overlapped with PSG star Vitinha.
As a result, the responsibilities of Fernandes and Vitinha were muddied. Both are capable of controlling tempo and dictating play, yet they were stood on each other’s toes in midfield.
To summarise the issue, they describe Fernandes and Vitinha as ‘two roosters on one perch’.
Bruno Fernandes believes Portugal can win the World Cup – Do you agree?
Man United must get midfield balance right with Bruno Fernandes
This summer, United are rebuilding their midfield, with Michael Carrick needing extra depth to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot behind Fernandes.
Last season, Carrick found huge success with a midfield trio of Mainoo, Casemiro and Fernandes, with the latter playing further forward as a No.10.
READ MORE: Man Utd learned one thing each from Portugal vs Spain and USA vs Belgium, boost to Michael Carrick
It was widely believed that Portugal had the best midfield heading into the World Cup, with Champions League-winning duo Vitinha and Joao Neves playing behind Fernandes.
But it didn’t work out that way, and that is a warning sign to Carrick and Ineos that the balance of the midfield is much more important than the personnel.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
