Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has revealed that “the club wanted me to leave” when Al Hilal proposed a lucrative deal for him during the summer transfer window.
The Saudi Pro League side reportedly offered £100 million for the 31-year-old midfielder, along with a potential wage of £700,000 per week. Despite these enticing terms, Fernandes opted to remain at Old Trafford after discussions with manager Ruben Amorim.
In a recent interview with Canal 11, a channel affiliated with the Portuguese football federation, Fernandes expressed that he sensed a willingness from key figures at United to let him go.
“I could have left in this transfer window and earned significantly more,” Fernandes stated, as reported by A Bola. “I almost departed a season ago and would have won numerous trophies this year, but I chose to stay—not only for family reasons but also because of my genuine affection for the club.”
“From the club’s perspective, it felt like it wouldn’t be a big loss if I left. This is somewhat painful for me. More than hurtful, it saddens me. I’m a player who can’t be criticized; I always make myself available and give my best effort…”
“Money isn’t a primary motivator for me. I can’t complain financially, although the disparity with Saudi Arabia is quite significant.
“If I decide to play in Saudi Arabia someday, it won’t be for the financial gain; it will be for lifestyle changes—my children’s lives will be filled with sunshine, a contrast to the cold and rain we’ve experienced in Manchester, and because I’ll be playing in a league that’s on the rise.”
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“While my passion and empathy for the club have remained the same, there comes a point when my value seems less important than money to them. The club seemed ready for me to leave. I shared this with the directors; however, I think they lacked the courage to follow through since the manager wanted me to stay.”
“But if I had insisted on leaving, even with the manager’s desire for me to remain, the club would have facilitated my exit.”
This interview follows Fernandes’s previous comments in October, where he mentioned that both Ruben Amorim and Manchester United wanted him to stay. He also revealed that Al Hilal’s interest first emerged in 2023.
The summer approach from Al Hilal followed Manchester United’s disappointing season, which included a loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a lackluster 15th place finish in the Premier League.
Reflecting on his 300th appearance for the club, Fernandes emphasized that his decision to turn down Al Hilal was influenced by a conversation with his wife, Ana. She questioned whether he had fulfilled all his ambitions with Manchester United.
“Her first question was, ‘Have you achieved everything you wanted at the club?’ And she knows I haven’t,” he explained. “When I mention my unfulfilled dreams at the club, it largely stems from her words.”
As of his contributions in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, Fernandes now boasts 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 appearances for United, with his contract set until June 2027 and an option for the club to extend it further.