Police investigate burglary at Bruno Fernandes' home during Italy trip

Police are investigating a burglary at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' Cheshire home while he was in Italy for the club's Champions League match against Como. BBC Sport reported that the break-in took place on Wednesday. Fernandes' family were understood not to have been at the property, and United were supporting the midfielder following the incident.

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Reuters, citing The Athletic, reported that Cheshire Police attended after receiving a report of suspicious activity at a residential address. Detective Inspector Dave Jarvis told The Athletic that a caller had seen three unidentified men in the back garden of a neighbouring property. Officers found no suspects when they arrived, but established that a burglary had occurred and items had been stolen.

The Athletic's account, as relayed by Reuters, cited a club statement saying the intruders had been inside for fewer than five minutes before police arrived. Police said their enquiries were continuing. Reuters had sought further comment from both Cheshire Police and Manchester United, while the BBC also said it had contacted the force about the incident.

Fernandes had travelled with United for a match they lost 4-1, extending their run without a victory in all competitions to seven games. Reuters reported that the Portugal international had appeared in every United match this season. The team were 13th in the Premier League and scheduled to host Bournemouth on Sunday, following their return from Italy.

The 32-year-old also made headlines for questioning manager Michael Carrick's tactics after the Como defeat. BBC Sport reported that he would remain United captain and would not face disciplinary action over those comments. Fernandes has been at Old Trafford since arriving from Sporting in January 2020, with the club now offering support over the separate matter away from football.

BBC Sport placed the burglary alongside previous incidents affecting footballers in the area. Manchester City defender Ruben Dias' Cheshire home was burgled in January while he was away for a Champions League fixture against Galatasaray. Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez were also named among previous victims. Those earlier cases do not establish who was responsible for the break-in at Fernandes' home.