Bruno Fernandes revealed that Manchester United “wanted me to leave” during the last transfer window when Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal tried to sign him.
Fernandes was reportedly the subject of a big-money offer from Al-Hilal, who were willing to pay around £100 million for the United captain, but he rejected the move.
The 31-year-old United’s current contract runs until 2027, with the option of a further year, and he said in October he will not discuss his future until after the 2026 World Cup.
Fernandes joined United in January 2020 and has since made 307 appearances in all competitions, scoring 103 goals and registering 90 assists.
Although he opted to stay at Old Trafford after talks with Ruben Amorim, Fernandes admitted it felt like the club were keen to let him leave.
“I could have left in this transfer window; I would have earned a lot more money,” Fernandes told Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation.
“I wanted to leave a season ago. I would have won a lot of trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons, but also because I truly love the club.”
“From the club I felt it was: ‘If you go, it’s not that bad for us’. It hurts me a little bit. It hurts me more than it hurts me. I’m a player that no one can criticize, I’m always available, I always give my best…
“I don’t see it as a matter of money. Financially I can’t complain, although the difference with Saudi Arabia is enormous.
“If I ever go to play in Saudi Arabia, I will do it, not for the money. I go because the lifestyle will change. My children’s lives will be sunny, after six years of cold and rain in Manchester. I will play in a league that is growing.
“The passion and empathy for the club were the same, but it reaches a point where money is more important to them than you. The club wanted me to leave. I told the directors I don’t think they had the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me.”
“But if I said I wanted to leave even though the manager wanted me to stay, the club would let me.”
Only Erling Haaland (20) has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than Fernandes (12 – five goals, seven assists).
He set up Casemiro’s first-half goal against Bournemouth on Monday before scoring a stunning free-kick in the second half. For the first time since December 2020, he has now both scored and assisted in consecutive matches in the competition.
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