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.
Bruno Fernandes has doubled down on his decision to snub a £100m move to Saudi Arabia
Man United’s captain urged that he did not snub the move to improve his World Cup chances
It has been another difficult start to the season for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim
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.’
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