Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has boldly proclaimed that his club captain Bruno Fernandes won't score for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts tonight (June 11) in Mexico City.
Fernandes, 31, is coming off a superb season for the Red Devils, contributing nine goals and a Premier League record 21 assists as Michael Carrick's side finished third to return to the UEFA Champions League after a year's absence.
The United captain is also one of the key players in Roberto Martinez's Portugal squad for the World Cup, having scored 29 times and providing 26 assists in 89 games. Meanwhile, Ugarte is expected to don a similar role for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay at the quadrennial event.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several United players made predictions and proclamations about the tournament, with Ugarte saying about Fernandes:
At the World Cup, Fernandes has scored twice and provided three assists in six games across two editions of the competition. Both goals came in a 2-0 group-stage win over Ugarte's Uruguay four years ago in Qatar, with Ugarte being an unused substitute in the game.
Meanwhile, Ugarte is set to make his World Cup debut in North America, having not featured in the Qatar edition four years despite being a part of the squad.
Bruno Fernandes makes prediction about team he would like to face in 2026 FIFA World Cup final
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes - Source: Getty
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes - Source: Getty
Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes wishes to meet Morocco in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup next month. The African champions had famously upset Fernandes' Portugal in the quarter-finals four years ago.
If both Portugal and Morocco win their respective groups, they could meet in an unlikely final. According to Opta, the Selecao have a 13% chance of reaching the title match, while Morocco (1.9%) are 12th in the list of contenders.
“I don't mind anyone, Fernandes said (as per Marca). ... If I get into the final that's another problem that I have to think after. [I would pick] Morocco, my friend Noussair Mazraoui is there. We have something still inside us [from the] last World Cup, so I want to beat him this time to get the better of him.”
Fernandes and Co. open their bid for a maiden World Cup title in Group I against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston.