Bruno Fernandes was in Italy with Manchester United for the Champions League game vs Como

Bruno Fernandes has had his home targeted by burglars while he was away with Manchester United. The club captain was in Italy with the United squad for the Champions League clash vs Como on Wednesday night.

It was a night to forget for the club, with them on the end of a dismal 4-1 defeat. Fernandes also made headlines by appearing to question Michael Carrick's tactics after the defeat.

While Fernandes was away, his £4million home in Cheshire was targeted. Three masked figures were seen at around 8.30pm, not long after full-time of the match.

One of Fernandes' neighbours alerted police after noticing three suspicious individuals in the area. It is believed they climbed over the rear garden fence, which borders woodland, before fleeing with valuables.

The intruders managed to escape, despite the property being equipped with a sophisticated security system comprising alarms, CCTV and an electric gate. No members of Fernandes' family were in the house at the time, and the intruders were in the property for less than five minutes before the police arrived.

United are supporting the midfielder. 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."

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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 break-in occurred while Fernandes was in Como, featuring in a disappointing defeat. United were hammered 4-1, leading Fernandes to criticise Carrick's approach and slam the club for being trapped in the past.

United return to action against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Carrick facing immense pressure to secure a result.