Bruno Fernandes returned from Manchester United's 4-1 loss to Como to learn that his Cheshire home had been broken into while he was away. The Manchester United captain's £4 million ($5.4 million) mansion in Nether Alderley was targeted by three masked individuals at around 8.30pm local time on Wednesday, October 21.
As first reported by The Sun, a neighbor alerted police after spotting three suspicious individuals nearby. It is believed the intruders climbed over a backyard fence bordering woodland before fleeing with stolen valuables. The property was equipped with an advanced security system including alarms, CCTV and an electric gate, but the thieves still managed to escape.
It remains unclear whether Fernandes' partner, Ana Pinho, and their two young children were present in the house at the time of the break-in. Mirror Football has contacted Fernandes' representatives and Manchester United for comment.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "At around 8.30pm on Wednesday 21 October, police were called to reports of suspicious activity at an address in the Alderley Park area of Nether Alderley. The caller reported three unknown men in the rear garden of a neighbouring property. Officers attended the scene and on arrival there was no trace of the suspects. However, officers discovered that there had been a burglary at the address and a number of items had been stolen."
Detective Inspector David Jarvis, of Macclesfield Proactive CID, added: "This investigation is in its early stages at this time, and we're committed to doing all we can to trace the people responsible. As part of our enquiries, we're keen to hear from anyone who was in the local area at the time and believes they may have witnessed anything suspicious."
The burglary took place while Fernandes was in Como, where Manchester United were beaten 4-1. Fernandes publicly criticized manager Michael Carrick's tactical approach after the defeat and accused the club of being rooted in the past.
United return to action against AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Carrick facing mounting pressure to deliver a positive result.
