Heartwarming moment Bruno Fernandes carries young Man Utd mascot who was crying in tunnel before huge Liverpool clash

BOTH Manchester United and rival supporters combined to hail Bruno Fernandes after comforting a terrified and upset young mascot.

The Portuguese midfielder captained the Red Devils against Liverpool this afternoon at Old Trafford.

The FA Cup clash was being screened live on ITV, and as the stars started to assemble in the tunnel, one of the player escorts was spotted breaking their heart.

Fernandes, 29, quickly saw the sobbing child and tried to comfort him as they prepared to walk out onto the pitch in front of a raucous crowd.

Seconds later and it was time for action, but as the teams emerged into the Theatre of Dreams, Fernandes went the extra mile to look after the overwhelmed kid.

He had scooped the youngster up into his arms and proceeded to carry him out as the boy hung on tightly with an arm around the ex-Sporting Lisbon ace’s neck.

Viewers quickly spotted the kind act from Fernandes, and even fans of other clubs could not help but heap praise on the usually polarising player.

A rival supporter started the love-in, posting on X: “I can't stand him, but fair play to @B_Fernandes8 with that little mascot.”

Another said: “Awh bruno with the little kid mascot bless.”

A third wrote: “little man at the front there sobbing stood next to the upset mascot, bless him.”

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Along with a heart emoji, another post said: “Bruno consoling and carrying his worried mascot.”

A fifth read: “Bruno’s little mascot is so adorable.”

While a sixth wrote: “Bruno carrying out the scared mascot. Biggest game of the season and he is being the captain. F*** the haters.”

Another added: “Bruno Fernandes making me like him because he’s being so lovely with that little overwhelmed mascot.”

And an eighth wrote: “I'm no fan of Bruno Fernandes, but I've got to give him credit there for looking after the young Utd mascot who was clearly nervous / upset.”

Former United captain Roy Keane was working for ITV as a pundit, and he could not resist a cheeky joke having watched the initial scene of the boy crying in the tunnel.

Host Mark Pougatch said: “There’s a lot of pressure here this afternoon on a lot of different people and this poor little mascot at the moment is just a little bit overwhelmed, he’s having a soothing word.

“I think we need Uncle Roy to go and see him.”

That led to the ever dry Irishman replying: “I think he’s worried about the game, the mascot.”

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