Bruno Fernandes reveals the secret behind his extraordinary fitness record... with Man United captain yet to MISS a match because of injury during his four years at Old Trafford

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Bruno Fernandes has revealed his family are behind his outstanding fitness record since joining Manchester United.

The Portuguese has played 223 matches in all competitions since moving to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

His only absence came in March 2022, when he missed United's 3-2 win over Tottenham through illness. So far

Since making his professional debut for Novara in the 2012-13 season, Fernandes has only missed another three games for club and country. 

He was absent for Sampdoria's 2-1 defeat against Naples in January 2017 because of flu and in March 2019 he missed Portugal's Euro 2020 qualifiers against Ukraine and Serbia because of a dead leg.

Bruno Fernandes is yet to miss a game for Manchester United through injury

On Sunday, Fernandes played all 120 minutes of United's epic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals despite hobbling throughout extra-time.

When asked about his remarkable stamina, Fernandes admitted his family deserved most of the credit.

'I just have to be grateful for my father and my mum because they made me the right way, the strong way,' he told reporters.

'They've been here for the last two games and they give me that extra energy, with my kids and my wife, they always take care of me.

"My wife does a great job at home to give me as much rest as I can. It's difficult when you have two kids at home and they want to play. 

'My youngest one wants to play football all the time, but I get my rest, my naps, everything I need, because she's there to help me. Part of this record is my family.'

Fernandes' performance on Sunday was made even more impressive by the fact he was deployed as a make-shift centre-back with United chasing the game while 3-2 down in extra time.

The Portuguese lined up alongside Harry Maguire and often allowed his teammate to venture forward to provide an aerial threat. 

And the 29-year-old insisted he was happy to sacrifice himself for the greater good. 

The Portuguese was asked to play at centre-back during extra time of the 4-3 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday

Fernandes celebrated Amad Diallo's winner with Alejandro Garnacho (left)

'I do what's needed to win games,' he explained. 

'I don't mind. It wasn't in the plan, it was trying to go man-marking on the pitch, but I felt at moments I could jump on their midfielders and at moments, I could drop a little bit to help H [Harry Maguire] because obviously, they have a lot of pace up front.'

'I don't mind, but when I'm far away from the goal, I can't get my goals and assists! But they can't score anyway because I was a centre-half in my early career, so I still got something from that.'