Bruno Fernandes has opened up on rejecting a mega contract from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal after he chose to stay at Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes has turned down a blockbuster offer from Al-Hilal that would have made him one of the highest-paid footballers in history.
The Saudi Pro League giants were willing to pay the 30-year-old £700,000 per week and table a bid of up to £100 million to Manchester United, hoping to tempt him with the prospect of competing in the Club World Cup and playing in the Middle East.
But after discussions with his family and the club, Fernandes has decided to stay at United and honour his current contract.
He remains committed to playing at the highest level in Europe and believes he still has much to contribute at Old Trafford.
Fernandes breaks silence on Al-Hilal rejection
Fernandes is currently away on international duty with Portugal as they prepare to face Germany in the Nations League semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
After the news of his decision to stay at Old Trafford broke on Tuesday morning, the United captain held a press conference with Portuguese media, where he was asked about his decision.
“I will answer, and I ask that you not ask me any more about it. There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it,” Fernandes explained. “There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.
“As I have always said, I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so. I spoke to coach Rúben Amorim, who, throughout that period, was very annoying to me not to go! The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave.”
Speaking further, the Portuguese international said: “It was a very ambitious proposal. The president was a fantastic person, we never discussed the amount [initially]. With my agent of course.
“Then, I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.
“It was an easy move, even at a family level… I had João Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team… We have a great friendship.
“But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions. and I feel capable of it.”
Fernandes staying is a major boost for United’s project
With United finishing 15th in the Premier League and offering no Champions League football next summer, there was a real concern that Rúben Amorim would struggle to attract top talent in the summer window, despite the need for reinforcements.
However, with Matheus Cunha over the line and Bryan Mbeumo having given United the green light to sign him from Brentford, the club have immediately shown that their status as an attractive club and project has been mostly unaffected.
Keeping Fernandes will only add to this. While there is the distinct possibility that some of United’s major names, such as Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, could leave, Fernandes’ choosing to stay despite the lucrative contract on offer from Al-Hilal gives United’s project further credence.
While signing every much-needed position this summer may not be possible due to restricted finances, the club being able to retain their captain while bringing in significant upgrades in attack will go a long way in proving that United mean serious business this summer.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.