Bruno Fernandes makes shock transfer claim about spineless Man United bosses | OneFootball

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has claimed that some club executives wanted him to leave in the summer but lacked the courage to tell him directly to his face while he was being strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Fernandes considered United exit

Despite United’s calamitous 2024/25 season in which they finished a lowly 15th place and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, Fernandes was still a shining light and one of the very few positives.

He notched an impressive 19 goals and as many assists on his way to winning United’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.

Fernandes’ performances earned him significant interest from Al-Hilal, who presented him with a mega three-year contract worth £200m. Al-Hilal were prepared to offer United in excess of £100m, having identified the Portuguese playmaker as a marquee target ahead of their participation in the Club World Cup.

United left it to Fernandes to decide and after a few weeks, he elected to remain at United, with Ruben Amorim playing a key role in swaying his decision. Fernandes later revealed that he wanted to remain in Europe and continue playing at the highest possible level.

He has been in fine form this term despite primarily playing in a deeper midfield position. His strike and assist against Bournemouth on Monday evening took his Premier League tally to 12 goal contributions in 16 appearances.

In newly surfaced comments, Fernandes has revealed that he felt club chiefs were prepared to let him depart – something that hurt him. He also noted that decision-makers at Old Trafford lacked the courage to directly inform him of their transfer stance.

Fernandes’ revelation

In an interview with Canal 11 [as quoted by maisfutebol], Fernandes said, “Until you win trophies, you’re not valued as much, regardless of the club and league you’re in. I was valued, and what values ​​me most has to be my club, although lately I feel like I’m on thin ice. In England, when a player starts approaching 30, they start thinking they need a makeover. It’s like the furniture.”

“The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be. I could have left in the last transfer window, I would have earned much more money, I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season.”

“I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely love the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticise.”

“I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then, you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad.”

On overtures from Saudi Arabia, Fernandes remarked, “The person who spoke to me was the president of Al Hilal, who called me directly. Rúben Neves sent me a message saying he wanted to talk to me. They wanted me to play in the Club World Cup with Al Hilal. It was already a love that came from the Jorge Jesus era, he had already called me in 2023.”

“I can’t complain, I’m very well paid, but obviously the difference is abysmal. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia. My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I’ll be playing in a growing league, with renowned players.”

“I could have left like many people do and said: ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for 20 or 30 million, so they pay me more on the other side.’ But I never did that. I never felt in a position to do it, because I felt that the empathy and affection I had for the club were the same. But it gets to a point where, for them, money is more important than anything.”

“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go.”

Fernandes divulged that he also spoke to Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo about a switch to Saudi.

It’s worth pointing out that this interview was conducted a few weeks ago.

Multiple journalists have come out to report that United have no plans to sell Fernandes and he remains part of their plans moving forward.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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