Is Bruno Fernandes available to face Porto? Manchester United captain expecting tough Europa League tie after Tottenham red

09/30/2024 08:44 AM

Manchester United will be relying on a captain’s performance from Bruno Fernandes as they return to action against Porto this week.

The Red Devils suffered a 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday after their skipper was sent off in the first half of the heavy defeat.

Fernandes is eligible to face Porto, despite his red card against Spurs

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United fell to pieces without Fernandes after the break, with Spurs scoring twice against 10 men to increase the pressure on Erik ten Hag.

The club will now hope to return to winning ways in the Europa League against their star midfielder’s former arch-rivals.

United haven’t faced Porto since 2009 when Fernandes’ Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored his ‘best goal’ that ultimately led to the creation of the Puskas award.

The only trip to the Primeira Liga giants was also a memorable one when Jose Mourinho‘s won 2-1 en route to winning the Champions League in 2004.

Is Fernandes available to face Porto?

Yes, United have been handed a boost with Fernandes eligible to play at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday.

The midfielder’s automatic three-match suspension following his red card is applied to domestic matches only, not in Europe.

Unless United successfully appeal his ban, Fernandes will miss games against Aston Villa away, Brentford at home, and West Ham away.

However, the 30-year-old will be able to play upon his return to his home city, having grown up a fan of Porto‘s local rivals Boavista.

Fernandes will also be relishing the opportunity to renew hostilities with ‘Dragoes’, having captained their domestic foes Sporting Lisbon.

The Portugal international knows more than most about the tricky tie that awaits United and sent a warning to his teammates.

Fernandes will serve a three-match ban for his challenge on James Maddison

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“It’s a side that always does really well in Europe, we have to be aware of that,” Fernandes told MUTV.

“It’s a team that has a great spirit, [are] improving a lot in the last few games, even if they lost the last game in the Europa League.

“It is a team that has been improving under their new manager [Vitor Bruno],” he added.

“We expect a really difficult game there, but we go there to win because it's everything that we have to think about.”