Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has doubled down on his decision to snub a £100million move to Saudi Arabia last summer, insisting it was not because of one key reason.
Fernandes, 31, has been an integral part of Manchester United's first team since his 2020 move from Sporting Lisbon — and has long been regarded as one of the club's best players amid a torrid decline under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag and most recently Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils, who dismally finished 15th in the Premier League last season, have endured a similarly disappointing start to the new campaign with Amorim's side winning less than half of their opening seven league games and already crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two outfit Grimsby Town on penalties.
Despite United's faltering form during his time at Old Trafford, Fernandes has loyally stood by the club, refusing opportunities to move on elsewhere.
The Portuguese was linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia last summer but he chose to commit his future to Manchester United, where he has two years left on his deal.
It is claimed Al-Hilal, whose president made contact with Fernandes over the potential move, were willing to offer a contract worth up to £200m to the midfielder, on top of a £100m transfer fee to Manchester United.
Fernandes, who is on international duty with Portugal ahead of their World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, was eager to rubbish speculation that he turned the move down to improve his chances of featuring at next summer' tournament in the United States.
'I didn't close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup,' he urged during a press conference.
'That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That's all there is to it.'
Fernandes, however, refused to open up on his future at the club beyond this season.
'That's an impossible scenario to imagine, because it's nothing that's been discussed with me,' he added.
'When it was discussed with me, I spoke openly with you at a press conference before a Nations League match.
'I like to enjoy the moment, and the most important thing for me now is representing the national team, because it's a source of enormous pride to be able to play tomorrow (Saturday), and I still don't know if I'll play, let alone if I'll leave Manchester United in a year.
'I'm happy where I am. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed, but it's something that doesn't affect me.'
Cekabcpsy
0
Seriously, most people's hate towards Fernandes surprises me a lot. He's just an emotional player who wants to win games by all means for any team he's playing for. The midfielder with most goals, most assists, most chances created, but still, so many clowns here hates him for just no any reason. He just came to Manchester United in the wrong time if not, Bruno would have been competing for Ballon-D'or gong if Manchester is playing better and winning top trophies. If dumb head says Fernandes is selfish, what about those chances and assist that he creates for his teammates? We're talking about someone with more goals contribution in EPL only behind Mohammed Sallah and Son who are both strikers while Fernandes is a midfielder. What do you want him to do? Did you want him to kill himself before you know that he's playing real football? Most of our fans here are so irritating. Don't worry, Fernandes will one day leave this club. After all, he was not born to play for Manchester United alone, but when he finally leaves, that's where you will start knowing his importance and regretting your ill-fated comments about him. It amaze me a lot to be honest. Well, not really, but when you're a symbol of family and global disgrace, the foolishness shows everywhere you go and seeing this foolish people here is never a thing to be surprise about.
Vowdelmptu
0
fucker Bruno Fernandes why u not leaving?? just leave the club
nuscdmopuy
1
Bruno, you can only player at Man U where there's no system of play, where each play plays the way he wants.
nuscdmopuy
1
Let him go to SA before he also becomes a "fossil".
QueriisFiasi
2
Next time that offer comes, he should grab it with both hands and even both feet and pick the rest up with his mouth so he doesn't say anything that will derail the process. It's not that he is doing anything worthwhile that will change the fortunes of ManUtd
adedefender
0
Captain of Man Utd in this period of decline, isn't a good testimony at all. What's going on in that dressing room? We have new owners, club has fired managers that were said to be the cause of the decline, club has offloaded players, club has renovated Carrington training complex, we have changed tactics, club now wants to change the stadium. What now has to be done to motivate the players after all these changes?
Meecenouyz
2
thanks for rejecting bro we love you at Manchester united
sahcmotuy
2
this dude should just leave
Ritcdikmnr
1
22. Costa 16. R Silva 1. Jose Sa 20. Cancelo 2. Dalot 25. Mendes 5. Guerreiro 12. Nunes 3. R Dias 15. Viega 4. A Silva 24. Inacio 6. Palhinha 13. J Neves 18. R Neves 23. Vitinha 8. B Fernandes 10. B Silva 14. M Fernandes 17. Leao 11. Felix 21. Neto 7. Ronaldo 9. Ramos 26. Conceicao 19. Goncalves