Reasons Why Bruno Fernandes Picked Shirt Number 8 at Manchester United Revealed

• Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has explained in detail why he loves the number 8
• Fernandes was confirmed as the new Red Devils' number 8 after Juan Mata left the club, leaving him to take over the shirt number
• He has explained that he honours his father with the number, who also used to wear the same number during his playing days

Bruno Fernandes has come out to explain why he chose to wear jersey number 8 at Manchester United going forward.

The mercurial attacking midfielder opted to ditch his number 18 shirt for number 8 after Juan Mata left the club at the end of last season. Fernandes has been wearing number 18 since he was signed from Sporting CP in January 2020.

He has now explained that he loves the number 8 because it was the same number that his father wore during his short playing career. Fernandes has used the number during his time at Udinese, Sporting CP and for the national team.

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90 Min reports that the 27-year-old wanted that number at United to honour his father.

There is a history behind that number because my father when he used to be a player, he was playing with the number eight.

Fernandes Senior, however, had to quit football after he got a better job offer that could allow him to fend for his family.

The number eight is the number he was using for two years. Because it was also his dream to be a footballer, I honour him with it.

The Portuguese international also has a tattoo of the number 8 together with the initials BF, which are his parents' names.

Eight is the day of my birthday! So this number eight says a lot about me, says a lot about my family, says a lot about my past, and that's why I like to use it. And that's why it's my preferred number.

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Fernandes is currently with the Manchester United squad in Bangkok, Thailand, as they continue with their preparations for next season, which begins in under a month.

David De Gea makes fun of Juan Mata after his former shirt number is taken by Bruno Fernandes

Sports Brief had also reported that Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has chided Juan Mata after Bruno Fernandes was handed Mata's shirt number.

Fernandes was confirmed as United's new number 8 for the upcoming season. Mata left the club at the end of last season following the expiry of his contract.

De Gea and Mata are old friends who have shared the same dressing room for over seven years after Mata switched from Chelsea.