Manchester United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has been in discussions with teammate Bruno Fernandes about the highly anticipated UEFA Nations League match between Wales and Portugal, set to take place on September 24. Darlow, who joined United this summer, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming international break and the chance to face off against his club captain, Fernandes, and fellow Portuguese player Diogo Dalot.

Wales, under the management of former Premier League player Craig Bellamy, is returning to League A of the Nations League after an unbeaten campaign last season. This season's international break is longer than usual, combining the September and October windows, allowing teams to play four matches instead of two. Darlow has been named in the Wales squad and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, particularly the match against Portugal, which marks their first meeting since the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

In an exclusive interview, Darlow stated, "It’s different [the upcoming break] and I think obviously having the games in a more condensed timeframe is going to be a different challenge as well. I think it's a good change and it's something I'm looking forward to." He also mentioned his conversation with Bruno about the match, saying, "It'll be interesting! Obviously playing in Lisbon, the first one, a great challenge for us as a country. It'll be nice to share the pitch with him on the opposite side, and we'll see how it goes."

Darlow, who has earned 15 caps for Wales, humorously noted his intention to study Fernandes' penalty-taking skills in preparation for their encounter. Before the international fixtures, Darlow and United will face Fulham in the Premier League and Brighton in the Carabao Cup, where he hopes to make his debut for the club. Darlow reflected on his experience of being on the home side at Old Trafford, describing it as an "amazing feeling" and emphasizing the importance of the fan support in motivating the team.

As the international break approaches, Darlow remains focused on contributing to both his club and national team, eager to make a significant impact in the matches ahead.