Bruno Fernandes Speaks Out: Why He Rejected Al Hilal’s Offer and Chose to Stay at Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has admitted that Manchester United were ready to let him leave for Al Hilal last summer if he had chosen to accept their massive offer. The Football Breakdown, will discuss the complete information below, check this out.
The Saudi club reportedly proposed a deal worth between £80 and £100 million, with a salary that would have made Fernandes one of the highest-paid players in the world. Despite the financial temptation, Fernandes decided to remain loyal to United.
The Portuguese midfielder confirmed that Al Hilal’s offer was the only concrete one he received, even though interest also came from other European clubs. “I had the conversations with Al Hilal; everyone is aware of that,” he said. “But my answer didn’t change. I felt that I still belonged to Manchester United’s project.” His manager, Ruben Amorim, and the club’s executives, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, all expressed their desire for him to stay.
Fernandes also consulted his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia. Although Fernandes did not disclose the details of their talk, he admitted that Ronaldo helped him understand the reality of football life in the Middle East. Still, the midfielder’s heart remained in Manchester, driven by unfinished business at Old Trafford.
Loyalty Over Money and Unfinished Ambitions
Bruno Fernandes revealed that he would have accepted a transfer only if the club had wanted to “cash in” on him. “If they said, ‘You’re 30, we want to make money,’ I would understand,” he explained. “But that wasn’t the case. They told me I was still part of the plan.” The mutual respect between Fernandes and the management was key to his decision to stay.
The club’s poor form at the time and missing out on Champions League qualification made speculation about his departure even stronger. However, Fernandes chose to fight for success rather than chase a bigger paycheck. “I still have dreams here,” he said. “I haven’t achieved everything I want with Manchester United.”
United’s leadership reassured him that new signings would be brought in to strengthen the team around him. Manager Amorim told Fernandes that losing their captain would set the squad back further. This faith convinced the playmaker that his role at the club was still vital to its long-term vision.
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Rumors, Rejections, and Future Uncertainty
Even after rejecting Al Hilal, rumors have persisted that Saudi or European clubs could make another approach next summer. Fernandes, who is under contract until 2027 with an option for an extra year, dismissed the talk, saying he hasn’t received any fresh proposals. “If someone told me they’ll come again in the summer—no one has said that to me,” he clarified.
He acknowledged that Al Hilal was unhappy with his decision, but he had no regrets. “The offer was massive; everything was huge for me, but I feel good here,” he said. “People say I’ve already agreed to go next season, but that’s not true. If the club has done anything like that, it wasn’t with me.”
Fernandes also emphasized that he and his agent are not open to discussions until after the World Cup. This suggests that, for now, his full focus remains on leading United and helping them return to Europe’s elite level.
Dreams of Glory and a Possible Return Home
Despite being one of United’s standout performers since arriving in 2020, Fernandes still hungers for major silverware. Having already won the FA Cup and League Cup, he dreams of lifting both the Premier League and Champions League with United before the end of his career. “Everyone knows my aim is to win those trophies,” he said. “If I don’t try, I’ll never make it.”
When asked about his future beyond United, Fernandes admitted he would one day like to return to Sporting CP, his boyhood club. “If I had the chance to play in Portugal again, Sporting would always be first,” he said. Yet for now, he feels at home in Manchester, describing his current life there as even more comfortable than in Portugal.
Ultimately, Fernandes’ decision was guided not by wealth but by ambition and family. His wife asked him a simple but powerful question: “Have you achieved everything you wanted at the club?” The answer, for now, remains no—and that’s why Bruno Fernandes is still wearing red. Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest Premier League football news by simply clicking on footballtipsonline.co.uk.
