Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes reveals shock career he would have pursued if he wasn't a footballer

Bruno Fernandes has revealed the surprise career route he could have gone down if he didn't make it as a footballer.

The Portuguese midfielder captained United for the first time in the Premier League since being made permanent skipper by Erik ten Hag on Monday night.

Fernandes laid on a glorious pass for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who supplied the cross for Raphael Varane's winner in the narrow 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford.

As a youngster, Fernandes played as a centre-back before being converted into an attacking midfielder when he was 15.

He started with Infesta, moved onto Boavista before moving to Italy and turning out for the likes of Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria.

Fernandes then headed back to Portugal in 2017 and exploded with Sporting CP. But had things played out different, what would he be doing now?

Image: Getty

The 28-year-old was quizzed by Sky Sports as part of a Saturday Social feature and replied: "It's a difficult one. When I was young I would have liked to have been a vet. I like animals but when you get older you start to understand you'll be scared of some animals.

"When you're young you don't realise how bad they can be. For now I'm more into dogs. Even with cats I'm a little bit like, 'Oh I can't trust you!". But I like animals and that's why. I never get into like I want to something other than a footballer.

"That was something because I like animals, that was the point at that time."

Asked if he would consider becoming a vet when he hangs up his boots, Fernandes added: "No I don't think so. Probably helping animals but not being a vet."

Image: Getty

In the same interview, Fernandes was asked about the toughest opponents he's faced in his career. And he reserved praise for former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, as well as current stars Declan Rice and Rodri - who he hailed as "really similar".

He explained: “In the Premier League, you play against top, top players. I can tell you [N’Golo] Kante was difficult, Rodri is really difficult, Declan Rice is really difficult.

“Declan and Rodri are physically really similar. Kante is more small but quick and sharp. But there are many players because we play in the best league in the world so you get to play against the best players."

Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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