Heartwarming moment Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes hands football star Ryan Papenhuyzen his jersey after learning about the NRL champion’s horror injury as they struck up an unlikely friendship
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes passed on his jersey on Tuesday
Injured Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was the lucky recipient
Sporty couple reportedly met on a Melbourne tram during a recent photo shoot
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Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has relieved Ryan Papenhuyzen by handing over his prized jersey to the Melbourne Storm fullback after learning of the shocking knee injury that ended his season.
Papenhuyzen, 24-year-old, was taken to hospital on Sunday with a broken kneecap and underwent surgery on Monday.
Papenhuyzen was forced off the field after a nasty clash with Jack Wighton in the 19th minute of Storm’s NRL clash against the Raiders at AAMI Park on Sunday and will not play again this season.
Red Devils midfielder Fernandes reportedly met Papenhuyzen on a Melbourne tram during a recent photo shoot and the high-profile sporting couple struck up an unlikely friendship.
Papenhuyzen made his way – on crutches – to the sheds of the MCG after United’s 3-1 victory over fellow EPL side Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has raised the spirits of Ryan Papenhuyzen by passing his prized jersey to the injured Melbourne Storm fullback after the pair struck up a friendship (pictured)
NRL star Papenhuyzen, 24, was taken to hospital on Sunday with a fractured kneecap and underwent surgery on Monday after a collision with Raiders star Jack Wighton
Shared in a video on Twitter, he was embraced warmly by the Portuguese attacking midfielder, who is believed to have heard all about the Storm No.1’s shocking injury.
The footage shows Papenhuyzen wearing a Manchester United scarf while beaming as he overtakes Fernandes.
Papenhuyzen has endured a scorching streak of injuries this year, playing just 11 games so far this season.
He was denied a potential State of Origin jersey at NSW for the second year in a row after hamstring and knee injuries.
Meanwhile, Fernandes will now travel to Perth with his team-mates for United’s next friendly on the Australian coast against Aston Villa at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Red Devils midfielder Fernandes reportedly met Papenhuyzen on a Melbourne tram during a recent photo shoot as the Premier League giants toured Australia
Fernandes reportedly heard about the end of the season from Papenhuyzen and wanted to pass his jersey on to the NRL star
Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were on target against the Eagles in the MCG in a clinical appearance in front of more than 74,000 fans, impressing new coach Erik ten Hag.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains up in the air, and the veteran would love to play elsewhere.
Complicating matters further is that Ten Hag says the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, is in his plans for this season and is not for sale.
United open their EPL campaign to their adoring fans at Old Trafford on August 7 against Brighton.