It has been explained that Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United despite links to Saudi Arabia and there is one major reason behind his preference.
Bruno Fernandes has been a standout performer for Manchester United since joining from Sporting CP in January 2020. This season, the club captain has risen to the occasion despite the team’s poor form, contributing an impressive 19 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.
With significant changes expected at Old Trafford this summer, United are preparing to offload several players, including Marcus Rashford and Antony, to ensure that they have enough cash for new signings.
Fernandes signed a new contract last summer and that came during interest from the Saudi Pro League. United clearly want him to stay but that admiration from the Middle East has not gone away.
Reports out of Saudi Arabia on Monday evening suggested that Al Hilal officials had met with Bruno Fernandes’ lawyer, Caetano Maria, and agent, Miguel Robin, to explore a potential transfer. The Saudi club is reportedly eager to secure his signing before the Club World Cup kicks off next month.
However, these claims have been dispute by several journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, who clarified that no formal approach has been made so far and that United are not willing to sell the midfielder. Nonetheless, Al Hilal reportedly view Fernandes as a key target for the upcoming summer window.
Why Fernandes wants to stay at United
It was explained by various English outlets that United have no intention of selling Fernandes in the summer, and ESPN have now supported that with their own reports.
They claim that the Reds are “determined to resist any offers” for their club captain and it was also mentioned that Fernandes is open to staying at Old Trafford despite interest from elsewhere.
You certainly wouldn’t blame Fernandes for eyeing a potential move considering he is playing at a world-class level in a team that looks no where near ready to be competing at the top of the table.
However, the aforementioned report explained that despite the poor campaign this term, Fernandes is content at United and has developed a ‘strong relationship’ with new boss Ruben Amorim.
Amorim clearly sees Fernandes as a crucial player for United going forward and that bond between the Portuguese pair looks to be key as to why Fernandes is not looking for the exit door.
United have to improve to give Fernandes what he deserves
When these reports from Saudi came out, there was obvious scepticism about the reliability of them but it also led to United fans wondering what the team would be like without Fernandes.
Imagining a United side that doesn’t include the captain does not only feel wrong, but also scary. He has carried the team every season he has been at the club, whether that is propelling the team into second-place or saving them from relegation.
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But, even though these rumours seem like they won’t lead to the 30-year-old leaving the club this summer, he is not going to last at this level forever and it is a reminder that United must improve their levels sooner, rather than later.
Fernandes deserves the final years of his career at the club to be ones where there is a genuine chance of the team lifting the top honours in football. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to make that happen.
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