Bruno Fernandes Denies Rejecting a £100 Million Move to Saudi Arabia Over a Single Reason and Remains Uncertain About Future at Man United

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reaffirmed his decision to turn down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia last summer, clarifying that his refusal was not due to one specific reason. The Portuguese midfielder, 31, has been a key figure for the club since transferring from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, standing out as one of their best players amid a difficult period for the team.

Despite Manchester United’s struggles—finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and experiencing a poor start this campaign—Fernandes has shown unwavering loyalty. The club’s recent form includes a loss to League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and a win rate of less than 50% in their opening league matches.

Last summer, Fernandes was linked with a transfer to Al-Hilal, with reports suggesting the Saudi club offered up to £200 million plus a £100 million transfer fee. However, Fernandes chose to remain at United, where he still has two years remaining on his contract. He explained that his decision was not motivated by the upcoming World Cup, despite rumors that he rejected the Saudi offer to improve his chances of participating in the tournament in the United States next summer.

During a recent press conference, Fernandes stated, “I didn’t close the door on Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That’s all there is to it.”

When asked about his future beyond this season, Fernandes admitted that he hasn’t discussed plans with the club and didn’t want to speculate at this stage. “It’s impossible to say what will happen,” he said. “My focus right now is on representing Portugal in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and I still don’t know if I’ll play or leave Manchester United next year. I’m happy where I am, and that’s why I stayed.”