Just like Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes has made the error of viewing football as an individual sport rather than a team endeavor.
In a revealing discussion with Canal 11, a platform affiliated with the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernandes expressed that he felt “hurt” by Manchester United‘s willingness to consider offloading him over the summer. Following last season, when Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal was prepared to pay a £100 million transfer fee along with wages nearing £750,000 a week to bring him to Riyadh.
As reported by ESPN, United ultimately left the decision in Fernandes’ hands. After a disappointing season that saw them miss out on European competition, following a Europa League final loss to Tottenham and a 15th place finish in the Premier League, financial concerns loomed large, making Fernandes available for the right offer.
It’s uncertain whether United would indeed be a better side without Fernandes, even if they used the transfer fee to enhance Ruben Amorim’s squad in critical areas, or whether his exit would have set them back further. Nevertheless, Fernandes sees the club’s pragmatic decision to entertain offers for him as a dismissal of his contributions.
“I felt from the club that it was an attitude of ‘If you leave, we won’t mind.’ It hurts a little,” Fernandes shared with Canal 11. “More than it hurting me, it saddens me.”
“The club wanted me to depart — that’s what I believe. I communicated this to the leadership, but it seems they lacked the courage to act since the manager wished for me to stay. If I had expressed a desire to leave, despite the manager’s support, they likely would have let me go.”
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Fernandes’ remarks echo those made by Salah earlier this month, in which he claimed to be “thrown under the bus” by the club and insisted he had “earned the right” to play despite being dropped by manager Arne Slot. Both Salah and Fernandes seem to overlook the broader context of their situations. Salah faced being benched after his form declined, while Fernandes faced potential offloading due to Manchester United’s disappointing finish after a season where he had been a pivotal player.
Despite being United’s standout player and maintaining high performance levels—as evidenced by his remarkable free-kick goal in Monday’s thrilling 4-4 draw against Bournemouth—Fernandes may benefit from a clearer understanding of how clubs can move forward, often thriving, even after parting ways with star players. United has seen numerous significant figures, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Eric Cantona, leave the club, only to be succeeded by replacements who have contributed to Premier League and Champions League victories.
If Fernandes had left Old Trafford this summer, it would have created a considerable void. He has netted 103 goals and provided 93 assists in 307 matches since joining from Sporting in January 2020. Had he been part of a more stable and successful setup during that time, he might have secured the major trophies that his performances have warranted.
However, while he remains a key component of the team, Fernandes is not irreplaceable. His exit could have ultimately allowed United to take crucial strides forward. This is speculative, of course, but with an additional £100 million this summer, United could have pursued one or two sought-after central midfielders such as Brighton’s Carlos Baleba or Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, or perhaps Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson. By integrating two of those players into Amorim’s squad, along with either Matheus Cunha or Mason Mount in the favored No. 10 role, it is plausible the team could be stronger than it currently is with Fernandes.
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Amorim: Man United ‘lack quality’ in defence
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim discusses his team’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
At present, Fernandes finds himself deployed out of position alongside Casemiro as a deep-lying midfielder, which leaves gaps in the center of the team. This is due in part to the failure to sign the midfielders that his potential transfer could have funded. A more decisive stance from United’s CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox might have involved accepting Al Hilal’s offer, freeing up resources to acquire players like Baleba, Wharton, or Anderson.
Eight years ago, Liverpool faced a similar crossroads when Barcelona made a £146 million bid for Philippe Coutinho, their standout player. Unlike United, Liverpool’s management opted to proceed with the sale, subsequently reinvesting in Virgil van Dijk (£75 million from Southampton) and Alisson Becker (£68 million from Roma)—two transformative acquisitions that propelled Jurgen Klopp’s side to Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
The success of any such reinvestment at Old Trafford would rely heavily on the expertise of Wilcox and his recruitment team, a chance that Fernandes’ decision to remain at the club may have denied them. While many fans appreciate his commitment, Fernandes might benefit from considering the broader implications of being viewed as dispensable and why the club entertained offers for him from Saudi Arabia.