A defeat that set the tone

Bruno Fernandes, captain of Manchester United, played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2–1 loss to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup. A disappointing result that marked the beginning of a night that would soon take an unexpected turn.

Later that evening, Fernandes’ official X account — followed by more than 4.5 million users — began posting content clearly unrelated to the Portuguese midfielder.

Club confirms the hack

As confusion grew, Manchester United issued a clear statement from its official account:
“Bruno Fernandes’ X account has been hacked. Fans should not interact with any posts or direct messages.”

Despite the warning, the individual behind the breach continued to post and reply, even mocking the situation with messages such as: “Aren’t you having fun?”

Taunts, replies and provocation

Among the most provocative posts was an image of the scoreboard from Anfield, recalling Liverpool’s 7–0 win over United in March 2023.

The hacker also replied directly to fans and players, including a sarcastic response to teenage United prospect Shea Lacey, who had publicly apologized after being sent off against Brighton.

A long-standing account compromised

Prior to the incident, Fernandes’ account — active since April 2019 — had just over 500 posts. His most recent legitimate update marked his 300th appearance for Manchester United, celebrated in October.

Well past midnight, the account continued posting as club officials worked to regain control.