Bruno Fernandes showcased a heartwarming moment of kindness before Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen. As the teams lined up at the Doosan Arena in freezing conditions, with temperatures at minus one, the Man United captain noticed the young mascot beside him shivering in the cold. Without hesitation, Fernandes handed the child his jacket, ensuring the youngster stayed warm during the pre-match formalities.
The thoughtful gesture didn’t go unnoticed, with the fellow mascot looking on enviously as the boy received the piece of official United gear. Fernandes’ act echoes similar instances of generosity from other players, including Jude Bellingham, who made headlines for a similar gesture during England’s match against Belgium earlier this year.
The touching moment added a human element to the high-stakes game, highlighting the compassion behind the competitive spirit of football. For Fernandes, it’s another instance of leadership on and off the pitch, resonating with fans and players alike.
Bruno Fernandes made sure that his mascot was guarded from the freezing temperatures
The Red Devils captain handed the child his jacket ahead of kick-off against Viktoria Plzen
Ruben Amorim will hope that his captain can play a role in helping secure a berth in the final 16
Real Madrid star’s heartfelt gesture was highlighted as he used his tracksuit top to shield a young mascot in a wheelchair from the heavy rain at Wembley, showcasing his compassion off the pitch.
Meanwhile, Manchester United looked to bounce back from their weekend defeat to Nottingham Forest with a reshuffled squad. Head coach Rúben Amorim made five changes for their Europa League clash in Czechia, bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Noussair Mazraoui, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee to freshen the lineup.
Amorim emphasized the significance of securing a win to avoid the burden of additional play-off games later in the tournament. Speaking on the eve of the match, he noted, “We’re facing a team many might overlook, but they’re unbeaten at home in Europe. It’s vital to progress directly to the next stage to save ourselves two extra games in an already packed schedule.”