Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has refused to rule out a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season, but insists he remains ‘happy’ for the time being.
Fernandes, 31, is enjoying his sixth full season with United this term, but there were times when his future at Old Trafford appeared in serious doubt during the summer transfer window.
Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal were heavily linked and reportedly offered Fernandes eye-watering wages of £700,000-a-week in an attempt to prise the midfielder away from the Theatre of Dreams.
Al-Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were also credited with a strong interest and Ruben Amorim was even said to be preparing for life without Fernandes – arguably United’s most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
After holding talks with both Al-Hilal and Amorim, though, Fernandes decided to stay on with United for at least another season in order to compete for ‘major titles’ and continue playing ‘at the highest level’.
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But while Fernandes remains fully committed to United, it’s been suggested that the Portugal international could be ready to quit English football to complete a move to Saudi after the 2026 World Cup.
Asked about the latest rumours of a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia ahead of Portugal’s World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland , Fernandes told reporters: ‘That’s an impossible scenario to imagine. I have no idea if there’s any truth to it.
‘I like to enjoy the moment and the most important thing for me is to represent the national team because it’s a source of enormous pride.
‘I don’t know if I’ll play [for Portugal] tomorrow, much less if I’ll play outside of Manchester in a year.
‘It’s not something that worries me.’
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Fernandes stressed that he would have chosen to leave United had he really wanted a fresh challenge in the summer.
‘I’m happy where I am, otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed,’ he added.
‘But it’s something that honestly doesn’t really bother me.’
Fernandes has had to get used to dropping back into a deeper position for United in recent weeks, with Amorim committed to his 3-4-3 formation across the club’s turbulent start to the new season.
And while the change of role has divided United’s fanbase, Fernandes has still managed to chip in with two goals in the top flight – including the 100th of his Premier League career in the side’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
‘He deserves all the praise,’ Amorim said of Fernandes following the win.
‘That guy deserves to be in the history of our club, not just for what he does but for what his team conquers.
‘The most important thing is the influence he has on the squad.
‘Sometimes he’s not in the best position to be the main man in every game, but the point of the captain is to be the best he can be in every situation to help the team to be better. He’s doing that.’
Amorim said he was confident there was far more to come from his skipper this season, adding: ‘I think he can play better.
‘But everyone can play better in our team.’
Fernandes’ current contract with United runs through to 2027, with the option of an additional year.
United beat Sunderland to rise to tenth in the table heading into the international break, with Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko on target at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s men return to Premier League action away to arch-rivals Liverpool in nine days’ time.
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