Bruno Fernandes has turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, confirming he will remain at Manchester United despite receiving a massive offer from Al-Hilal.
The 30-year-old club captain revealed he gave the offer serious thought, as it would have more than doubled his current salary at Old Trafford. But after discussions with his family and manager Ruben Amorim, Fernandes opted to stay, citing his desire to continue playing at the highest level.
“They Didn’t Need the Money”
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semi-final against Germany in Munich, Fernandes opened up about the proposed move and his decision to reject it:
“Manchester United said they didn’t want to sell me. They told me if I wanted to go, I could — but they didn’t need the money.”
He continued:
“I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim, and he was pushing for me to stay. It was an exciting offer, and it would have been easy to go to Saudi Arabia, especially with other Portuguese players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Neves already there.”
But ultimately, Fernandes made his priorities clear:
“I want to play major competitions. I want to compete at the highest level, and I know I still can. I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most. For better or worse, this is how I see football.”
Al-Hilal’s Big Offer — and United’s Quiet Stance
Although Al-Hilal never made a formal bid, it’s understood they were prepared to offer between £80m and £100m to sign Fernandes ahead of this month’s FIFA Club World Cup. Despite the tempting financial package, the midfielder ultimately pulled the plug on the potential transfer himself.
United are said to be delighted by the news, which comes as a major boost following a difficult season.
A United Legend in the Making
Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47m, Bruno Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for Manchester United. His leadership on and off the pitch has been one of the few constants during a turbulent few years for the club.
Former United captain Gary Neville praised the midfielder’s loyalty and mentality on Sky Sports:
“This wouldn’t have been a bad deal financially, but Bruno is so important to the club. The fact he wants to stay and fight, especially when United are at a low point, says a lot about his character.”
“He could’ve easily walked away. Instead, he wants to stay, push through the tough times, and bring the club back to where it belongs. That kind of commitment will only deepen the fans’ respect for him.”
What’s Next for Bruno and United?
With the Saudi chapter closed — at least for now — Fernandes remains central to Ruben Amorim’s rebuilding project at Old Trafford. At 30, he still has time to chase major trophies, and his decision signals a belief that Manchester United can rise again.
As for Al-Hilal, it remains to be seen whether they’ll pivot to other high-profile targets or continue to chase Fernandes in the future.
