Bruno Fernandes, now Manchester United’s captain and talisman, was on the brink of joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 before Sporting Lisbon pulled out of the deal at the last moment.
The midfielder was so convinced the move would happen; he reportedly became distraught when it collapsed. Six months later, Fernandes signed with Manchester United for £47 million and quickly became a club standout.
His journey—from humble beginnings in Porto, defying his family’s plan to move to Switzerland, to training alone before school at Boavista highlights his resilience and drive. Before joining Sporting, Fernandes also turned down Middlesbrough for Italian side Novara, kickstarting his rise through European football.
Now, as United prepare to face Spurs in the Europa League final, Fernandes is not only their leader but a reminder to Tottenham of the star they almost had.