Bruno fernandes in tears from phone call before man united europa league final

BRUNO FERNANDES HAS ADMITTED THAT A PHONE CALL FROM A FORMER SPORTING CP FIGURE LEFT HIM IN TEARS AHEAD OF MANCHESTER UNITED'S EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL AGAINST TOTTENHAM 17:21, 21 May 2025

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has revealed that a heartfelt phone call with his former Sporting CP kitman, João Reis, left him tearful on the eve of the Europa League final.

Fernandes, who joined United from Sporting in a £47million deal in January 2020, still maintains strong emotional ties with the Liga Portugal side. Following Sporting's Liga Portugal

title win, secured with a 2-0 victory over Vitória Guimarães, Reis reached out to Fernandes, now a key figure at Old Trafford. The call clearly stirred up fond memories and emotions, with

Fernandes confessing that he felt immense happiness and gratitude for his time at Sporting. The 30-year-old midfielder expressed his enduring affection and passion for the Portuguese club,

where he spent just under three years before joining United. "Much happiness and gratitude for everything I lived in Sporting," Fernandes told Sport TV. "It is a club for

which I have enormous affection, a huge passion. "I was as happy or happier than all those who were celebrating. Unfortunately, I could not be there, but I will still celebrate many

titles in Marquês. "Sporting is undergoing a major change. It's also been achieved through Ruben Amorim, Hugo Viana, Frederico Varandas... they've managed to change the

dynamics of the club to become competitive again and win. Article continues below "I'm happy about that. I got a call from João Reis which brought tears to my eyes. It's a

club that I'll always have enormous affection for and that will always have a place in my heart." After beginning his professional career with stints at Novara, Udinese and

Sampdoria, Fernandes joined Sporting CP in 2017. During his time there, he scored 63 goals and provided 50 assists in 137 appearances, helping the team to lift a Taca de Portugal and two

Taca da Ligas. Despite these successes, the Primeira Liga title that Sporting clinched this year was one accolade that eluded him during his three-year spell at the club. Another United

figure who is likely celebrating Sporting's recent triumphs is Amorim, who departed the Portuguese club in November to take the reins at Old Trafford. Although Amorim and Fernandes did

not overlap at Sporting, they have since developed a strong partnership at United, even amidst a series of disappointing Premier League results this season. United are languishing in 16th

place in the league with just one match left to play, having secured a mere seven victories under Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag. However, their fortunes could take a turn tonight

when they square off against Totenham Hotspur - another team struggling domestically - in the Europa League final. After securing third place under the new league structure, United handed

Real Sociedad a 4-1 defeat in the round of 16, before dispatching Lyon with an aggregate score of 7-6 in the quarter-finals. The club then clinched a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Club

in the semi-finals, booking their place at San Mamés in Bilbao. Spurs, on the other hand, managed 3-2 and 2-1 aggregate victories over AZ Alkmaar and Frankfurt respectively in the earlier

knockout stages, before enjoying a 5-1 triumph over Bodo/Glimt in the semis to reach the final. Article continues below Both teams will be keen to compensate for their dismal Premier League

campaigns - with Spurs trailing just one point behind United in the Premier League in 17th position - in what is set to be a thrilling night of football.