Fernandes started his career at ItalianSerie B sideNovara but soon made a move toSerie A sideUdinese in 2013, followed bySampdoria three years later. After five years in Italy, he signed withSporting CP in 2017. He won back-to-backTaças da Liga in2018 and2019, as well as theTaça de Portugal, leading to him being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year andPrimeira Liga Player of the Year in both seasons. In2018–19, he scored a record of 33 goals in all competitions, making him the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder and the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe in a single season.
In January 2020, Fernandes signed with United for an initial €55 million (£47 million), becoming at the time the second-highest fee for a Portuguese player leaving the domestic league. He became a focal player for United, making more than 250 appearances for the club in the next five years. Collectively, he has won theFA Cup andEFL Cup; he also contributed to the club reaching theUEFA Europa League final in 2021 and 2025 and the FA Cup final in 2023. Individually, he was named theFSA Men's Player of the Year Award in 2020 and was theEuropa League top scorer in 2019–20 and2024–25.
Fernandes was born inMaia,Metropolitan Area of Porto. Growing up, he supportedBoavista andManchester United.[4] During his childhood, Fernandes used to play football on the streets with his older brother Ricardo, who was also a professional football player.[5] His father, who had emigrated to Switzerland, wanted Fernandes to move with him, but he refused, due to the standard ofSwiss football at the time.[6][7]
Club career
Early career
Fernandes began his youth career at local clubInfesta. Growing up, Fernandes was offered a youth contract atPorto's academy, but he went to local rivals Boavista, who offered him transportation to training, with his parents being unable to take him toPorto on a daily basis.[6] Fernandes played most of his youth football with Boavista, starting his career as acentre-back, before being converted to anattacking midfielder at the age of 15, following a loan to Pasteleira.[6][7]
Spell in Italy
Novara (2012–2013)
On 27 August 2012, he joinedNovara in Italy.[8] Fernandes initially struggled in his new life in Italy, after suffering from homesickness and also had problems learning Italian. After his girlfriend moved to Italy, Fernandes quickly learned the language and began settling in the country, being nicknamed the "Maradona of Novara" and the "MiniRui Costa".[7] After only a few weeks with the youth sides, Fernandes was promoted to the first team inSerie B, and went on to appear in slightly more than half of the league games during the2012–13 season, helping his team to fifth place and the promotion play-offs.[9]
Udinese and Sampdoria (2013–2017)
In summer 2013,Serie A clubsInter Milan andJuventus wanted to sign him, but instead, Fernandes decided to sign forUdinese in aco-ownership deal, which promised him first-team opportunities.[10] He made his debut in Serie A on 3 November, coming on as a second-halfsubstitute in a 0–3 home loss against Inter Milan.[11] Fernandes scored his first league goal on 7 December, in a 3–3 draw atNapoli.[12] He scored again in the second match between the sides in a 1–1 draw.[13]
On 16 August 2016, Fernandes moved toSampdoria on loan with an obligation to be signed permanently.[14][15] He made his league debut twelve days later, playing six minutes in a 2–1 home win overAtalanta.[16] Fernandes scored his first goal for his new team on 26 September, in a 1–2 away loss toCagliari.[17] He scored five goals in 33 Serie A appearances duringthe campaign,[18] helping them to finish in tenth position.[19]
On 15 May 2018, Fernandes and several of his teammates, including coaches, were injured following an attack by around 50 Sporting supporters at the club's training ground after the team finished third in the league and missed out on Champions League qualification.[26][27] Despite the events, the team agreed to play inthe final of theTaça de Portugal scheduled for the following weekend,[28] eventually losing to Desportivo das Aves.[29] Fernandes was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Year on 6 July.[30] Four days later he signed a new five-year contract with a €100 million release clause,[31] having turned back on his original decision to leave theEstádio José Alvalade following the departure of club presidentBruno de Carvalho, and being given an improved salary in the process.[32]
2018–2020: Highest-scoring midfielder in Europe
Fernandes scored his 23rd competitive goal of the2018–19 campaign during a 3–1 home win againstPortimonense on 3 March 2019, through a latepenalty, surpassingAntónio Oliveira's club record for goals by a midfielder in a season, set in1981–82.[33] On 5 May, he scored ahat-trick in an 8–1 away rout ofBelenenses SAD, in the process becoming the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder in a single season of all time, with 31 goals to his name.[34] He scored his 33rd and final goal of the season on 25 May 2019, during Sporting's victory against Porto in the Taça de Portugal final.[35][36] He was named Primeira Liga Player of the Year for the second successive year for his performances in the 2018–19 season.[37]
He scored seven goals in his first 10 appearances of the2019–20 season, including a run of scoring in six consecutive appearances.[citation needed] This made him the third Sporting player in the 21st century to score in six or more consecutive appearances for the club, afterMário Jardel and Bas Dost.[38] On 28 November, he scored twice and assisted the other two goals in a 4–0 victory overPSV Eindhoven, which guaranteed Sporting qualification to the knockout stages of theUEFA Europa League.[39]
Manchester United
2019–2020: Europa League top scorer
On 29 January 2020, English club Manchester United confirmed they had reached an agreement with Sporting for the transfer of Fernandes for a fee reportedly worth up to €80 million (£67.6 million),[40] subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.[41] The transfer was officially completed the following day, for an initial fee of around €55 million (£47 million),[42] plus up to €25 million (£21 million) in add-ons and 10% of the profits should United ever sell Fernandes.[43] Fernandes signed a five-and-a-half-year contract.[44]
He made his debut on 1 February, playing the full 90 minutes of a goalless draw at home toWolverhampton Wanderers.[45] In Manchester United's 2–0 away win overChelsea on 17 February, he provided an assist for the second goal, a header fromHarry Maguire.[46] Fernandes came on as a late substitute for Manchester United against Club Brugge in a 1–1 draw on his European debut for the club.[47] He scored his first goal for Manchester United againstWatford on 23 February, converting from the penalty spot in an eventual 3–0 victory atOld Trafford, a match in which he also provided an assist for the third goal scored byMason Greenwood.[48] His first European goal for the club came in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie againstClub Brugge at Old Trafford, in which he scored a penalty, helping them to a 5–0 victory.[49] On 16 March, Fernandes was voted as thePremier League Player of the Month for February.[50]
On 30 June, Fernandes scored his first brace for the club in a 3–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[51] For his performances in June, he won multiple club and Premier League awards, including Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month, becoming the first player to win both awards concurrently in Premier League history.[52][53] He also became the first Manchester United player to win back to back Premier League Player of the Month awards sinceCristiano Ronaldo in the2006–07 season.[54] In September, Fernandes was named as the winner of Manchester United'sSir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, given to the club's best player from the previous season.[55]
2020–2021: Individual success and Europa League final
On 26 September, Fernandes scored his first goal of the season againstBrighton & Hove Albion in the 100th minute of a 3–2 win at theAmex Stadium; it was one of the latest goals in Premier League history, and came after refereeChris Kavanagh had blown the final whistle, before avideo assistant referee awarded United a penalty which Fernandes converted.[56] On 7 November, Fernandes scored a brace and provided an assist againstEverton to secure a 3–1 away win.[57] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for November in recognition of his four goals and one assist that month,[58] and again in December after scoring three goals and providing four assists in that month, becoming the first player to win the award four times in a single calendar year.[59][60] He scored one goal and made two assists in United's Premier League record-equalling9–0 home win againstSouthampton on 2 February 2021.[61] He finished third in terms of top goalscorers in the league with 18 goals and second among the top assist providers with 12.[62]
In April, a day after Manchester United had announced their plan to quit the UEFA Champions League to join theEuropean Super League along with 11 other clubs, Fernandes became the first potential European Super League player to comment on this, stating his disapproval: "Dreams can't be [bought]."[63][64] By the next day, Manchester United withdrew from the European Super League, which was also announced to be "suspended" that day, amid a backlash from players, managers, football institutions, politicians, fans and the media.[65][66] On 29 April, he scored twice and assisted two more goals in a 6–2 home win overRoma in the first leg of theEuropa League semi-finals;[67] and provided an assist in a 3–2 defeat in the return leg, which allowed United to advance to the final 8–5 on aggregate.[68] On 18 May, he was named as the winner of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the second successive season.[69] On 26 May, Manchester United drew 1–1 againstVillarreal after extra-time, in theEuropa League Final, but eventually lost on penalties, despite Fernandes netting his spot kick in the shoot-out.[70]
On 14 August, in the opening match of thePremier League season, Fernandes scored a hat-trick againstLeeds United in a 5–1 win.[71] He then scored in the team's next home game against Newcastle United,[72] before missing a last minute penalty against Aston Villa two weeks later that would have salvaged a 1–1 draw.[73] He later posted an apology for his penalty miss onInstagram.[74] On 23 November, Fernandes provided an assist forJadon Sancho in United's 2–0 victory away against Villarreal in theChampions League, to ensure his team qualification to theround of 16, becoming the first player to provide an assist in five consecutive matches of a Champions League campaign for an English club.[75] On 2 December, Fernandes made his 100th appearance for the club, opening the scoring in United's 3–2 home win overrivalsArsenal at Old Trafford.[76]
On 1 April 2022, Fernandes signed a new contract which would keep him at Manchester United until June 2026, with the option of a further year.[77] On 2 May, he scored his 50th goal for Manchester United in the club's 3–0 home win overBrentford.[78] His performances declined during the season, with Fernandes alongside his teammates struggling and under-performing and with United supporters becoming increasingly frustrated by Fernandes' complaints to referees during matches, and with the club finishing a disappointing sixth place, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, despite Fernandes being the top assist provider in the2021–22 UEFA Champions League, with seven assists in total.[79][80]
2022–2023: Ending the trophy drought
On 1 July 2022, Manchester United announced that they had changed Fernandes' squad number from 18 to his preferred number 8, the same number he wore during his time for Sporting CP and as a tribute to his birth date and his father, upon the departure ofJuan Mata, after his contract expired.[81] Fernandes scored his first goal of the season on 27 August in a 1–0 away win against Southampton.[82]
On 3 January 2023, Fernandes made his 150th appearance for the club, assistingMarcus Rashford's goal in United's 3–0 home win overBournemouth.[83] Two weeks later, he was instrumental in United's 2–1 comeback win overManchester City in theManchester derby, scoring a goal that was part of the build-up play for United's controversial equaliser despite Rashford being in an offside position, helping United to extend their winning run to nine in all competitions.[84] On 18 January, Fernandes scored in a 1–1 away draw toCrystal Palace, registering his 100th goal contribution for the club. He also became the Manchester United midfielder with the second most goal contributions in the Premier League, only behindPaul Scholes.[85] On 26 February, Fernandes started in the2023 EFL Cup final as Manchester United beatNewcastle United 2–0 atWembley Stadium, winning his first trophy with the club.[86]
Fernandes created the most chances (119) in the2022–23 Premier League, the highest on record since 2003–04 by a Manchester United player in a single campaign. United qualified for the2023–24 UEFA Champions League after securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.[87] In the2023 FA Cup final, Fernandes equalised for United through a penalty in an eventual 2–1 defeat to local rivals Manchester City.[88][89]
2023–present: Club captaincy and FA Cup win
On 20 July 2023, Fernandes was named as Harry Maguire's replacement asclub captain.[90] On 26 August, Fernandes scored his first goal of the season, netting a penalty, and also assistingCasemiro in a 3–2 comeback win overNottingham Forest.[91] The following months, United endured a difficult start to the season, most notably in thePremier League andChampions League, finishing last in their group.[92] Fernandes' captaincy came under scrutiny, despite being the football player who played the most minutes in world football, with 72 games and 6,666 minutes dating from 15 September 2022 to 2023.[93][94][95]
In January 2024, during the wintertransfer window, Fernandes was the recipient of a contract offer worth €100 million fromSaudi Pro League sideAl-Hilal. If he had accepted the offer, he would have joined his national teammateRúben Neves, as well as former managerJorge Jesus, who was keen on signing him. However, the deal was eventually turned down by Fernandes, who felt he had unfinished business at United, stating that he was "happy [...] focused on Man United".[96][97]
On 7 April 2024, Fernandes scored his 50th Premier League goal from 50 yards (46 m) in a 2–2 draw against United'sarch rivalsLiverpool at Old Trafford.[98][99] He was then named Manchester United Player of the Month for April after scoring seven goals in six appearances that month.[100] On 23 May, Fernandes won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, becoming a three-time recipient of the award.[101] In the2024 FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester City, Fernandes assistedKobbie Mainoo's goal in an eventual 2–1 win for United, winning his second trophy with the club and his first as club captain.[102] After the match, pundit and former United midfielderRoy Keane praised Fernandes: "I've been critical of Bruno over the years, but I've been proven wrong, his leadership was outstanding. I've always mentioned how brilliant he is as a player."[103] In July, Fernandes was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with two clubs in the Saudi Pro League interested in him,[104] but these rumours were dispelled in August when his contract with Manchester United was extended to 30 June 2027.[105]
On 29 September, Fernandes was sent off for a high challenge onJames Maddison in United's 3–0 loss toTottenham Hotspur atOld Trafford.[106] However, on 1 October, the red card was overturned byThe Football Association, following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal by the referee.[107] On 3 October, he was sent off for the second time in five days when he received two yellow cards in a 3–3 draw withPorto in the UEFA Europa League.[108] This made him the first Manchester United player to be sent off in consecutive matches sinceEric Cantona in March 1994.[109] He made his 250th appearance for the club on 11 November, scoring the opening goal and assistingAlejandro Garnacho in a 3–0 win againstLeicester City.[110] In the 2–0 loss toWolverhampton on 26 December, Fernandes received his third red card this season. At the same time, he became the first Manchester United player to receive 3 red cards in a season in the past 16 years, sinceNemanja Vidic in the 2008–09 season.[111]
On 13 March 2025, Fernandes scored a hat-trick againstReal Sociedad in a 4–1 second leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League, with a final score line of 5–2 across the two-legged tie.[112]His performances in March, with two goals and two assists, including a 'sensational' direct free-kick againstArsenal earned Fernandes his fifthPremier League Player of the Month award.[113] On 20 June, it was announced that Fernandes was one of six nominees for thePFA Players' Player of the Year.[114]
On 30 August 2025, Fernandes scored his first Premier League goal of the2025–26 season, a 97th minute penalty to win the game 3–2 againstBurnley.[115] A month later, on 20 September, Fernandes made his 200th appearance for Manchester United in the Premier League againstChelsea in which he scored his 100th goal for the club across all competitions in a 2–1 win.[116]
With thePortugal under-20s, Fernandes participated in the2014 Toulon Tournament. In this competition, he played four out, scoring againstChile in a group stage match, helping Portugal to a third-place finish.
Fernandes representedPortugal atunder-19, under-20,under-21 andunder-23 levels, for a total of 28caps. Prior to his international debut, he was namedcaptain of the under-21 team by coachRui Jorge.[117] He scored four goals and provided four assist in Portugal under-21squalification campaign, helping them to qualify for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[118] In June, Fernandes took part in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, helping Portugal to a group stage finish, and scoring a goal againstSerbia in the opening match.[119]
Overlooked for selection by Portugal during his spell in Italy, Fernandes was first chosen on 28 August 2017, replacing the injuredPizzi forWorld Cup qualifiers against theFaroe Islands andHungary to be played the next month, although he did not play in either match.[124] Fernandes won his first full cap on 10 November 2017, replacingManuel Fernandes for the last 34 minutes of the 3–0friendly win overSaudi Arabia inViseu.[125]
He was then selected byFernando Santos for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[126] He scored his first goal on 7 June with a header in the last warm-up match before the tournament, a 3–0 defeat ofAlgeria at theEstádio da Luz.[127][128] Fernandes' first World Cup game took place on 15 June, when he played 66 minutes in a3–3 group stage draw againstSpain, beingbooked in the process.[129] On 30 June, Portugal were eliminated following a 2–1 defeat toUruguay in the last 16.[130]
2018–2021: Nations League title and subsequent struggles
Fernandes was selected for three matches in the league phase of the2018–19 UEFA Nations League group stage,[131][132] helping the hosts Portugal qualify tothe inaugural Nations League Finals in June 2019. In the UEFA Nations League Finals, Fernandes played both matches as Portugal defeated theNetherlands 1–0 in Porto to win the trophy.[133] For his performances throughout the competition, he was named in the "Team of the Tournament".[134]
Fernandes was named in Portugal's final squad for the delayedUEFA Euro 2020 tournament, appearing in all games of the eventual round of 16 exit.[135] Fernandes went on to be criticised for his performances during the tournament as he struggled to replicate his club form for Portugal. After being heavily fatigued and overshadowed by other teammates, he was dropped from the starting line-up for the final group stage match as Portugal failed to qualify for the round of 16.[136]
Fernandes after scoring in a group stage game againstUruguay at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
In October, he was named in Portugal's preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,[138] being included in the final 26-man squad for the tournament.[139] On 25 November, Fernandes provided two assists in Portugal's 3–2 group stage win againstGhana.[140] Three days later, Fernandes scored both of Portugal's goals in a 2–0 victory over Uruguay, securing his team's qualification to the knockout stages.[141] On 6 December, he provided an assist forPepe, who scored Portugal's second goal in a thrashing 6–1 win in the round of 16 match againstSwitzerland and became the second-oldest player to ever score in the tournament.[142] Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing 1–0 toMorocco.[143][144] Despite Portugal's elimination, Fernandes finished the tournament as the joint-top assister with three assists.[145]
His World Cup form continued during theUEFA Euro 2024qualifiers in March, providing two assists and a brace againstBosnia and Herzegovina in a 3–0 win on 17 June.[146] On 8 September, on his 29th birthday, Fernandes scored the only goal of an away win overSlovakia.[147] On 11 September, he scored a goal and provided a hat-trick of assists in a 9–0 home defeat ofLuxembourg, the former's biggest win in international history.[148] In the reverse fixture against Slovakia, on 13 November, Fernandes provided a brace of assists in a 3–2 win, leading Portugal to qualify forEuro 2024, marking the nation's fastest qualification to a major tournament in their history.[149] Fernandes finished the qualifying campaign as the top assister with eight assists, with Portugal topping their qualifying group, and setting a new national team record of ten consecutive wins.[150]
On 21 May 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for theUEFA Euro 2024.[151] On 22 June, Fernandes scored Portugal's third goal in a 3–0 win againstTurkey, securing his country's qualification to theknockout phase.[152] In Portugal'sround of 16 match againstSlovenia, he played the full 120 minutes and scored the team's second kick of thepenalty shootout which they won 3–0.[153] Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals toFrance after losing 5–3 in another penalty shootout.[154]
On 16 November 2025, Fernandes scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 win overArmenia during theFIFA World Cup qualification, securing his nation's spot in the final tournament.[155]
Player profile
Style of play
Anattacking midfielder, Fernandes is a direct, energeticbox-to-boxplaymaker who is capable of both taking on defenders and setting the rhythm of play.[156][157] Directness also means that Fernandes tends to take a lot of risks with the type and level of passes he attempts to complete. However, despite being prone to turnovers, he typically presses the opposition right after losing possession.[158] Fernandes boasts a prolific goalscoring record from the midfield position. He frequently shoots from outside the penalty area and is an accuratefree-kick[156] andpenalty taker.[159] His movement off the ball is also key, with him often roaming around the attacking areas of the pitch, or dropping deep to pick up possession.[156] As well as operating in the attacking midfielder role, he can also operate in a deepercentral midfield role, or as asecond striker.[156] During his time at Manchester United, underErik ten Hag, Fernandes also played on theright wing on many occasions, due to hiscrossing ability, which made him an effectiveassist provider.[160]
Reception and image
Regarding his creative and goalscoring ability, Manchester City managerPep Guardiola once said, "Bruno's influence is outstanding. Unbelievable. Today saw a few games, the last games and I said: 'this guy's creativity is one of the best I've ever seen'."[161] In 2023, Manchester City and Belgian midfielderKevin De Bruyne rated him as the best player in his position in Premier League commenting, "I think he's [Fernandes] a creative machine and just in general."[162] former Manchester United defenderRio Ferdinand commented that Fernandes "is a player who knows how to create chances [...], who can for bit of imagination, creativity, the patience around the box, the ability to hit a ball from the edge of the box an put in the back of net, [...] manipulate and take ball".[163] Ferdinand also praised his leadership abilities, stating "he was one of the players in the game that lead's by example".[164] Former Manchester United coachOle Gunnar Solskjær stated that Fernandes was a "bit of a mix betweenPaul Scholes andJuan Sebastián Verón".[165] Fernandes goalscoring abilities have also drew comparisons with former Chelsea midfielderFrank Lampard, after breaking his record of being the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe in a single season.[166]
During his career, Fernandes has faced criticism for his on-field behaviour, particularly regarding his body language and emotional reactions.[167] Pundits such asGary Neville andRoy Keane have criticised his tendency to complain to referees, wave his arms in frustration, and visibly criticise teammates during matches. Neville has described his behaviour as "petulant" and suggested that such actions are unhelpful for a captain tasked with leading by example.[168] Similarly, Keane has questioned Fernandes' leadership qualities, criticizing him for "moaning and whinging" when the team was struggling, arguing that a captain should display resilience and composure.[169] Despite his significant contributions on the pitch, critics argue that his emotional outbursts and confrontational approach undermine his leadership and set a negative tone for the team.[170]
Goal celebration
Fernandes has adopted a particulargoalscoring celebration throughout his career: after scoring a goal, he usually celebrates by covering his ears with both of his hands, as a tribute to his daughter, who covers her ears pretending not to hear him.[6][7]
Sponsorship
Fernandes is sponsored by sportswear companyNike. He wears Nike Mercurial Vaporboots.[171]
Personal life
When Fernandes moved to Italy at age 18 to join Novara, he was joined there by childhood sweetheart Ana Pinho; they married in 2015.[6] The couple have a daughter (January 2017) and a son (September 2020).[6] He has tattoos on both of his arms with the number 8, in which he tributes to his birth date and to his father, who was also a footballer and wore the number 8 shirt, during his playing career, the letter F symbolising his surname and the number 23 as a tribute to his debut with the Portugal national football team, when he was aged 23.[6][7]
Fernandes is multilingual; apart from his native Portuguese, he is fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian. He also speaks some French.[7]
Fernandes also has a brother named Ricardo who plays in the ninth tier of English football forRoffey.[172]
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 8 November 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^Tornesi, Duarte; Toucedo, Rafael (10 September 2017)."Bruno Fernandes arranca como Balakov" [Bruno Fernandes gets going like Balakov].O Jogo (in Portuguese). Porto. Archived fromthe original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved12 September 2017.
^"Sporting derrota Olympiacos na Grécia" [Sporting defeat Olympiacos in Greece] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 12 September 2017.Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved13 September 2017.
^"Quarta vez de Bruno Fernandes" [Fourth time for Bruno Fernandes].Record (in Portuguese). Lisbon. 29 April 2018. Archived fromthe original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved25 May 2018.
^"Vitória na estreia" [Win in debut] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 4 August 2016. Retrieved12 September 2017.
^"Portugal vence e garante quartos de final" [Portugal win and confirm quarter-finals] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 7 August 2016. Retrieved12 September 2017.
^"Portugal assegura primeiro lugar" [Portugal confirm first place] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 10 August 2016. Retrieved12 September 2017.
^Lemos, Pedro (11 September 2023)."Portugal 9–0 Luxemburgo (crónica)" [Portugal 9–0 Luxembourg (report)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved11 September 2023.
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