Bruno Fernandes has given Manchester United a useful World Cup workload note after Portugal survived a chaotic 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto.
The United captain started the round-of-32 tie and was involved in Portugal’s best first-half opening, with The Guardian reporting that Rafael Leao cut the ball back for Fernandes to force one save before a second effort was blocked.
Crucially for Michael Carrick, Fernandes did not have to complete the full emotional grind. Nelson Semedo replaced him in the 63rd minute, just before Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty and Goncalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner dragged Portugal into the last 16.
Carrick Gets A Small Bruno Fernandes Break
This is still an extended tournament problem for United. Portugal now move deeper into the knockouts, and Read Man Utd had already flagged how Fernandes and Diogo Dalot could stretch Carrick’s pre-season planning.
Yet the substitution matters. Fernandes avoided extra minutes in a match that lurched through VAR checks, Croatia pressure and a late Ramos winner.
For a player who remains central to United’s tempo, pressing cues and final-third decision-making, those saved minutes are not cosmetic.
Carrick will still be watching Portugal’s next step closely. He just gets to do it with slightly less strain on his captain’s legs.
