Many Manchester United supporters believe that an emotional Bruno Fernandes hinted at a possible transfer in the aftermath of Sporting’s 2-1 defeat to Valencia.
Fernandes has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks and reports claim United have agreed a £62million (€70m) deal with Sporting for the 24-year-old midfielder after a breakthrough in talks.
It’s understood Fernandes is set undergo a medical in Manchester in the coming days, meaning his appearance in Sporting’s match with Valencia on Sunday night could be his last.
Sporting got off to the perfect start in the pre-season friendly as Bas Dost broke the deadlock after only five minutes, but goals from Geoffrey Kondogbia and Kevin Gameiro sealed a narrow away victory for Valencia in Lisbon.
Shortly after the match, Fernandes looked despondent while taking in the defeat with his team-mates in the Sporting dugout.
In a later shot, the Portugal international appeared to wipe away a tear before walking away from the camera to hide his reaction.
Bruno Fernandes crying after Sporting Lisbon game pic.twitter.com/9v9lUzZ3Ja
— Ben Bath (@Benjamin_bath) July 28, 2019
Video: Bruno Fernandes clearly visibly upset wiping tears and walking away from the camera recording him. #mufc pic.twitter.com/8NjitHfPlG
— ManUnitedZone (@ManUnitedZone_) July 28, 2019
United fans predicted that Fernandes’ arrival was imminent as the images spread like wildfire across social media.
Here’s how they reacted to his behaviour after Sporting’s defeat…
Here’s Bruno Fernandes crying after playing his last game for Sporting. Welcome to MUFC pic.twitter.com/YowS4XAsSC
— Osɛi Aҡօtօ Kaռu (@OseiAkoto_Kanu) July 28, 2019
Bruno Fernandes crying at full time of his final pre-season game…
It’s happening boys. ??? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/0TFQ18Twk2
— StretfordPaddock (@StretfordPaddck) July 28, 2019
Bruno Fernandes crying after his ‘last game’ for Sporting…It’s happening isn’t it??? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/btZRcOme9e
— True United (@united_true) July 28, 2019
Bruno Fernandes cried at the end of the match between #Sporting and #Valencia tonight. Goodbye? #mulive
— UtdOnly?? (@CapitalNews0) July 28, 2019
Bruno fernandes was crying in a video after the match hopefully it means he comes to us but im going to believe he’s coming to man utd pic.twitter.com/mWf4zf0XCW
— RAVE89 (@Ravecrane89) July 28, 2019
Bruno Fernandes crying… Manchester United transfer confirmed ✅ https://t.co/0UAbf3W2x8
— Don De Gea (@Unitedevil1) July 28, 2019
Earlier this month, Fernandes admitted that he was looking to secure a move to the Premier League before deadline day.
‘The president decides that, not me,’ the Portuguese midfielder said.
‘I don’t care about the market, I’ve talked about this many times. The only thing I can do now is that I need to catch the plane so I don’t miss it.
‘I told you I’d like to play in England, but that’s not what interests me. It may be when the club decides.’
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been determined to sign a midfielder ever since Ander Herrera sealed a move to Paris-Saint-Germain.
As well as Fernandes, the Red Devils have registered an interest in Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff this summer.
MORE: Frank Lampard provides N’Golo Kante injury update ahead of Manchester United clash