Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were among several Premier League players who recently took advantage of a rare mid-season break to travel abroad.

Their team, Manchester United, found themselves with a free weekend after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton saw them exit the FA Cup in the third round last month.

The Red Devils enjoyed some downtime as they basked in the success of a five-game unbeaten streak under interim manager Michael Carrick.

Bruno Fernandes took the opportunity to visit his native Portugal with his family. The 31-year-old was spotted attending a second division football game on Sunday.

He watched from the stands as Pacos de Ferreira played to a 0-0 draw against Torreense, visibly supporting his former teammate Francisco Ramos, who is part of the Pacos de Ferreira squad.

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes was seen watching Pacos de Ferreira’s 0-0 draw against Torreense, having travelled back to Portugal during Man United’s break

Man United midfielder Manuel Ugarte enjoyed a weekend in Rome with his British influencer girlfriend Georgia May Heath

Ugarte shared pictures of his trip to the Italian capital, including have dinner by the Colosseum 

Francisco Ramos expressed his delight at Fernandes’ visit, saying to SportTV, “He is always special. He is someone connected to me and my family.”

‘In addition, it is always special to have a figure of this from our football watching us.

‘He values Portuguese football, he values Pacos de Ferreira and I’m happy to have him close.’

Similarly, Senne Lammens took in a football match as the goalkeeper returned to his former club Royal Antwerp for the first time since leaving for Man United in September.

Lammens, who joined Man United in an £18.1m move, was invited back as a guest of Royal Antwerp.

The 23-year-old watched on as Royal Antwerp were beaten 2-0 by Westerlo at home in the Belgian Pro League.

Fellow Man United star Manuel Ugarte went further afield, as the Uruguayan star enjoyed a romantic getaway with his British influencer girlfriend Georgia May Heath.

The couple travelled to Rome over the Valentine’s Day weekend, with Ugarte sharing pictures of their trip with fans on Instagram.

Ugarte updated fans with his Valentine’s Day trip on social media, which included taking in culture in Rome

Harry Maguire stated that he was feeling ‘fully charged,’ after a trip to Scandinavia with his wife Fern

The Man United defender took in the Northern Lights on his trip during Man United’s break

Ugarte uploaded a photo from a dinner close to the Colosseum, along with images of him soaking up the Italian capital’s culture.

Harry Maguire declared himself to be ‘fully charged’ after a trip to Scandinavia with his wife Fern.

The defender shared a photo of him taking in the iconic Northern Lights while on the trip.

Man United stars were not the only ones to benefit from having time off over the weekend, with Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer enjoying getaways despite their clubs being involved in FA Cup matches.

Bowen was left out of the West Ham squad for their 1-0 extra time win over Burton Albion on Saturday lunchtime, with the England international given time to recover ahead of helping the Hammers fight to avoid relegation.

Palmer, similarly, was absent as Chelsea eased to a 4-0 victory away at Hull City on Friday night.

Bowen headed to Oxfordshire for a Valentine’s Day trip with his wife Dani Dyer, while Palmer travelled to Dubai with his girlfriend Olivia Holder.

Holder documented the romantic getaway on her Instagram and posted pictures with Palmer. 

In one, Palmer can be seen in the reflection of a hotel room mirror in the background, while she takes the snap holding a bouquet of flowers. 

Another shows the gifts she had been showered with, including a Chanel bag. 

Olivia Holder posted a pictured with Chelsea star Cole Palmer on their Valentine’s Day break

She posed with a bouquet of flowers in their hotel room during the stay in Dubai 

It seems Palmer lavished his girlfriend with gifts and roses on their holiday 

Dani Dyer and husband Jarrod Bowen spent a romantic Valentine’s weekend at Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire

The reality star and the footballer, both 29, enjoyed a child free weekend at the luxury country house and private members club, where rooms start from £1,400-per-night

The couple arrived at the lavish country getaway for a romantic weekend over Valentine’s Day

They are understood to have spent the night at GAL in Dubai, a restaurant providing Turkish-Mediterranean cuisine. 

The Japanese wagyu beef sets customers back £800 at the luxury establishment. The couple have been together since late last year and this was their first Valentine’s Day together. 

Another picture on Holder’s Instagram story showed her lying on a sun lounger on the beach with Palmer standing a few yards away.

Bowen and Dyer, however, enjoyed a weekend at Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire. 

The footballer and reality star, both 29, enjoyed a child free weekend at the luxury country house and private members club, where rooms start from £1,400-per-night. 

The couple, who tied the knot last year, spent quality time together on rainy walks around the estate.

Bowen and Dyer are proud parents to two-year-old twins Summer and Star, and Dani is also mum to four-year-old son Santiago, who she shares with her ex-partner Sammy Kimmence.

Dyer married her West Ham United captain husband in an outdoor ceremony at the £500-a-night Langley Hotel in Iver, Buckinghamshire, on May 31, 2025.

The weekend offered players a rare respite, with the stars expected to be involved in international fixtures during the next break in the Premier League season in March.

They will then hope to be included in their respective international squads for the FIFA World Cup in the summer, which is due to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.