Key Takeaways:
- Bruno Fernandes confirmed he wants to stay at Manchester United if he feels valued by the club
- He disclosed a willingness to move to Spain, Italy, or Portugal, but turned down a £700,000 per week offer from Al-Hilal last summer
- Fernandes cited disappointment with United’s transfer stance and criticised declining loyalty in football
Fernandes Outlines Future Plans and Transfer Conditions
Bruno Fernandes has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester United, but stressed this loyalty depends on feeling appreciated by the club hierarchy. The United captain, who is 31 years old, surprised many by outlining his preferred alternative destinations – Spain, Italy, and Portugal – notably omitting any interest in joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
🚨💣 Bruno Fernandes: “Man United wanted me to LEAVE last summer, I have that in my head”.
“I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the COURAGE to make that decision”, told Canal11.
“I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like… pic.twitter.com/hQficuazdR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 16, 2025
Speaking to Canal 11, Fernandes stated: “I want to stay at Manchester United as long as I feel desired.” He also revealed an interest in experiencing Spain’s top division and competing for major honours in Italy, drawing attention to strong personal ties there, as his daughter was born in Italy. Regarding a potential return to Portugal, Fernandes suggested Sporting would be his top choice, but stressed he does not want to damage the reputation he left at the club, only to add to it. He even alluded to the prospect of playing district football later in his career, highlighting the passion and unique sense of camaraderie at that level.
Links to Saudi Arabia and Major European Ambitions
Persistent rumours have linked Fernandes with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, particularly after Al-Hilal made a lucrative approach last summer. The Saudi side reportedly offered a wage of £700,000 per week, amounting to nearly £200million over three years, but Fernandes rejected the deal in favour of staying at Old Trafford. Despite maintaining contact with Cristiano Ronaldo and being linked with Al-Nassr, Fernandes evidently remains more drawn to elite European football.
| Club | Reported Offer | Annual Salary | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Hilal | £700,000 per week | £36,400,000 | 3 years (£200million total) |
On-Field Impact and Reflections on Loyalty
This season, Fernandes has remained United’s standout performer, recently scoring a remarkable free-kick in the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth on Monday evening. Despite his consistent influence over the past five years, he voiced disappointment in the manner United handled his potential departure last summer. Fernandes commented to Canal 11 on the changing nature of loyalty in football, acknowledging he could have left in the last transfer window for significantly improved terms elsewhere. He emphasised that conversations with the coach and his affection for the club played a pivotal role in his decision to stay, even when sensing the club might be willing to let him go.
He stated: “Nowadays, the issue of loyalty is no longer seen the way it used to be,” and continued to express sadness at the club’s perceived willingness to part with him, citing his full commitment and unassailable availability for matches. Fernandes drew comparisons to other players, lamenting that some seemed less invested in representing the club.
Manchester United’s Official Response
Despite Fernandes’ frustrations, Manchester United maintain that they reassured their captain last summer of his vital importance to their squad and insist he was never for sale.
