Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has disclosed that he declined a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to continue chasing his ambitions with the Red Devils.
The Portuguese midfielder, who is set to make his 300th appearance for United in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton at Old Trafford, said his heart remains firmly tied to completing “unfinished business” with the club.
Despite Fernandes’ impressive personal performances, United have endured a difficult run during his tenure. Last season, they finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest top-flight finish since the 1973–74 campaign, and also suffered a devastating Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, crushing their Champions League hopes.
During the summer transfer window, Fernandes reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, who offered him a highly lucrative deal. However, the 31-year-old midfielder chose to stay in Manchester, citing his desire to achieve more with the club he joined in January 2020.
“We always say we have an offer from Saudi because obviously, wherever I have to go, they have to come. They can choose not to, but I’d prefer them to come,” Fernandes explained, referring to his wife Ana and family’s involvement in such decisions.
“And obviously the first thing she said was ‘have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve at the club?’ Because she knows that I haven’t.”
Fernandes has faced occasional criticism for his emotional outbursts on the pitch, but Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim sees that passion as a reflection of the midfielder’s deep hunger to succeed and his determination to lead the team back to its glory days.
“The manager spoke with me,” Fernandes revealed. “He said I was still part of the project. He wanted me to stay. The club said the same.”
He added that he was open to a move only if the club decided to sell him: “I always said that if the club was like ‘Bruno, we want to cash in, we want to make some money, we don’t think you can be part of the future project’ or whatever, I would be like ‘OK, I have to find a solution for myself, whatever is best for me and my family, and I will leave’. But obviously that wasn’t the case. I felt that I was still part of the plan, that I could still help the club to achieve whatever our aims.”
Currently contracted until 2027 with an option for an additional year, Fernandes has made it clear that he has no plans to discuss his future until after the World Cup next year.
“As I’ve always said, I feel good here,” he reaffirmed. “I want to achieve my dreams still. But obviously, I can’t talk by the side of the club. I’ve seen a lot of news. I’ve seen a lot of people talking that I have an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn’t made with me, so I haven’t spoken with anyone. My agent also knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Because until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”
What you should know
Bruno Fernandes’ decision to reject a Saudi Arabian offer underscores his loyalty and determination to succeed at Manchester United.
Despite the club’s struggles, Fernandes remains focused on helping the team reclaim its status among Europe’s elite. The midfielder, known for his passion and leadership, continues to play a central role in United’s rebuilding project under manager Ruben Amorim.
With his contract running until 2027 and his sights set on both domestic and international success, Fernandes has made it clear that his commitment to the Red Devils remains unwavering.
