Every football club has staff members whose tireless daily work rarely finds its way into the spotlight, yet without their unwavering efforts, the club could quickly descend into total chaos. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has highlighted one such indispensable figure at Old Trafford.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Portuguese midfielder was asked to identify the team's main unsung hero. Without hesitation, Fernandes pointed to first-team operations manager, Acasio Valentim:
Acasio. He informs us of the timing of every event, arranges our schedules, organises travel and flights. Plus, he dresses better than anyone at the club. Definitely better than any of us.
Valentim made the move to Manchester from Portuguese club Braga at the specific request of former head coach Ruben Amorim. When Amorim was dismissed in January 2026, much of his coaching staff left England to join him at Italian side AC Milan. However, Acasio retained his pivotal role within the ranks of the Red Devils.
The responsibilities of a manager extend far beyond a mere training schedule. Valentim is fully accountable for coordinating training sessions and managing the day-to-day operations of the first team: travel routes, flights, safety concerns, ensuring the players are kitted out properly, regulating the use of the club's training facility in Carrington, and addressing various operational issues are all part of his portfolio. Moreover, Acasio assists players with any personal and professional challenges, acting as a vital link between the management team and other club departments to maintain perfect order within all internal mechanisms.
Valentim took over from Jackie Kay, who had served Manchester United for around 30 years, spending the last decade overseeing the organisation of the first team’s life. Inheriting the mantle from such a respected figure was no small challenge, but according to The Athletic, the Portuguese has excelled in his adaptation: he has fostered a trusting relationship between all departments and made the operations division as transparent and efficient as possible.
