Fernandes clocked fastest sprint times at United after COVID lockdown training

Bruno Fernandes produced one of the more remarkable fitness results in Manchester United’s recent history when the Premier League resumed after the COVID-19 lockdown in June 2020 — and the achievement still resonates at the club today.

Fernandes had joined United in January 2020, but within two months the season was suspended for three months as the pandemic halted collective training across the league. Players were restricted to home workouts and Zoom sessions with club staff, with no access to training facilities.

When United’s fitness data was compiled through STATSsports GPS trackers — a system also used by ten other top-flight clubs during the remote period — Fernandes had not merely maintained his physical condition. He had improved it. Despite pace not being considered one of his primary attributes, the Portuguese midfielder recorded a top speed of 34.27 km/h based on sprints over 5.5 metres, placing him among the fastest players at the club.

The accomplishment has taken on added significance given Fernandes’ standing at Old Trafford since. The 31-year-old won both the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season during the 2025-26 campaign, cementing his status as one of the division’s most influential players.

However, Fernandes will not be part of the United group returning for pre-season on Thursday. He has been granted an extended break following Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the round of 16 on Monday.

The captain was candid about Portugal’s failings after the defeat. “It’s a sad moment. We had the clear objective of winning the World Cup, but we weren’t at our best,” he said. “In the first half, we were superior, but in the second half we made the mistake again of dropping too deep and giving the ball to the opponent. When that happens, we end up suffering.”

Fernandes also acknowledged that Portugal’s passive approach played into Spain’s hands. “We faltered by giving Spain too much of the game, which is what they really want,” he added. “It’s sad how we left the tournament — we had the quality for more.”

He finished the tournament without a goal and with a single assist, unable to replicate the form that had made him the standout player in England’s top flight over the course of the club season.