Bruno Fernandes Speaks On Juan Mata And What The No. 8 Means To Him

Bruno Fernandes’ desire to inherit the No. 8 shirt from the departing Juan Mata went far beyond just footballing reasons. It’s the Portuguese playmaker’s preferred number everywhere he goes. 

For Bruno, the number and the letters ‘B’ and ‘F’ — as can be seen on the tattoo on his right arm — are a lot more than just his commonly presumed initials. They hold a deep, sentimental value. 

The ‘B’ stands for Borges, which is the last name of his mother. The ‘F’ — naturally — stands for Fernandes, his father’s name. Bruno also revealed that wearing the No.8 has plenty to do with his father, his dreams, and the sacrifices he made for their family. 

“That shirt means a lot to me,” Fernandes said in an interview with MUTV.

“My father quit football because he had an offer from work. Obviously at that time, for me and my brothers and for all the family, it was better that he had proper work than to keep playing football.

“The number eight is the number he was using for two years when he was playing and because it was also his dream to be a footballer, it makes my dream a little bit of him.”

Bruno also added that the eighth is the day of his birthday on 8 September — making his relentless pursuit of the shirt justified, even while Mata was still at the club. 

Fernandes was asked about that and his relationship with the recently departed Spaniard. The United talisman looked back fondly on his memories with Mata, sharing some anecdotes from their playful exchanges and paying his respects to the 34-year-old’s time at the club.

“I’m really happy to continue his legacy,” Bruno said. “A big legacy from a big player and more than that, a big friend now. It is a great pleasure for me to use the number and he knew that I was waiting for the time it became free.”

It is worth noting at this point that Bruno was saying all of this with a joyful smile on his face, intertwined with laughter. It was in a way a reflection of how Mata was in and around the United dressing room. Always smiling, always joking — one of the most likable figures.

Bruno added: “I was always joking with him and saying that he has to go away and change clubs so I can use my number again. We joked a lot about that.”

The 27-year-old also revealed his plans of using two shirts in his first official game as United’s new No.8. The reason: one will be gifted to Mata and the other to his father. A classy gesture from one of United’s biggest leaders.

It is all exciting times ahead at United at the minute as the club prepares to kick off the Erik ten Hag era with a friendly against Liverpool on Tuesday. That’s likely when the first ‘Bruno 8’ sighting will be too.

Fernandes played some scintillating football for the Reds as the No.18. The Portuguese has recorded 36 goals and 24 assists in 87 Premier League appearances to date. His first few years at the club have been nothing short of extraordinary.

The last campaign was poor club wide by every stretch of the imagination. Not one player deserves more blame than the other. However, Bruno still put up numbers that would be classed as impressive for a majority of football’s creators.

The playmaker chipped in with 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions and was one of the prime chance creators in all of Europe. He had six assists in as many Champions League games to lead the competition after the group stages.

That return was considered largely unimpressive because of the spectacularly lofty standards Fernandes set for himself. He wasn’t satisfied either. He will be the first to place a firm chip on his own shoulder for next season. 

Time will tell what Bruno United will get with the new number on his back. Either one brings unique value to the squad. But if it’s the unplayable one from his first 18 months at the club, the Theatre of Dreams will be in for a treat.