The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off in North America, and players are already making headlines with their predictions. Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has grabbed attention after making a bold statement about his club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Uruguay international confidently predicted that Fernandes would not find the back of the net for Portugal during the tournament. His comment came as several United players shared their thoughts ahead of football's biggest event.
Fernandes in Stellar Form
Fernandes enters the World Cup in excellent form after an outstanding season with Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder scored nine goals and registered a Premier League-record 21 assists as the Red Devils secured a third-place finish and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. With Portugal aiming to win their first-ever World Cup title, Fernandes is expected to play a major role in Roberto Martinez's squad. However, his teammate Ugarte believes goals will not be part of the playmaker's contribution this summer.
Manuel Ugarte Backs Bruno Fernandes to Go Scoreless
Ahead of the tournament, Manchester United players took part in a light-hearted prediction session. During the discussion, Manuel Ugarte made a surprising claim about Bruno Fernandes. The Uruguayan midfielder suggested that his Portuguese teammate would not score a single goal during the World Cup. The prediction is particularly interesting because Fernandes has already enjoyed success against Uruguay on the biggest stage. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Portugal star scored both goals in a 2-0 group-stage victory over Uruguay. Ugarte was part of the Uruguay squad at the time but did not appear in that match.
Fernandes has built a strong World Cup record despite playing only six matches across two editions of the competition. He has scored two goals and provided three assists for Portugal. His creativity and leadership remain key assets for Martinez's side heading into the tournament. Meanwhile, Ugarte is preparing for his first World Cup appearance on the field. Although he was included in Uruguay's squad in Qatar, he did not play a match. This year's tournament offers him the opportunity to become a regular figure in Marcelo Bielsa's midfield.
Fernandes has also spoken about the possibility of facing Morocco later in the competition. The Portuguese star admitted he would enjoy meeting the African side in the final because Portugal still remembers its painful quarter-final defeat to Morocco in Qatar. Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston as they continue their pursuit of a historic first FIFA World Cup crown.
