Bruno Fernandes Reveals Manchester United Wanted Him to Leave in Latest Transfer Window

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes revealed that the club “wanted him to leave” during the last transfer window, amid a high-profile approach from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

The Saudi club reportedly made a £100 million bid for Fernandes, who rejected the move. The 31-year-old’s current contract at Old Trafford runs until 2027, with an option for a further year. Fernandes has stated that he will not discuss his future until after the 2026 World Cup.

Fernandes joined United in January 2020 and has since made 307 appearances, scoring 103 goals and registering 90 assists in all competitions. Despite lucrative offers, he opted to stay at the club after talks with manager Ruben Amorim, admitting that it felt as though the club were keen to let him leave.

“I could have left in this transfer window; I would have earned much more money,” Fernandes told Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation. “From the club, I felt it was, ‘If you go, it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit… More than hurting me, it makes me sad.”

He explained that his decision to remain was driven by family considerations and a genuine love for the club. “If I ever go to play in Saudi Arabia, it won’t be for the money. I’ll go because the lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years of cold and rain in Manchester,” he said.

Fernandes also highlighted his commitment to the team: “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… But if I said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me.”

This season, only Erling Haaland has been involved in more Premier League goals than Fernandes, with 12 contributions—five goals and seven assists. Against Bournemouth on Monday, Fernandes assisted Casemiro’s first-half goal before scoring a spectacular free-kick, marking the first time since December 2020 that he has both scored and assisted in successive Premier League games.

By beIN Sports

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