Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has made a shocking revelation, telling Portuguese media that the Premier League giants wanted to sell him during the summer transfer window.
"The Club Wanted Me to Leave" - Fernandes' Stunning Claim
In an interview with Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation, the 31-year-old midfielder disclosed that Manchester United's hierarchy was open to his departure after receiving interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. Fernandes stated that his commitment to the club never wavered, but he felt the club's priorities had shifted.
"My passion and empathy for the club were the same, but there comes a point where money becomes more important to them than you," Fernandes said in the interview, which aired on Monday, December 16, 2025.
He directly addressed the club's directors, claiming, "The club wanted me to leave." Fernandes believes the only reason a transfer did not materialize was because the new manager, Ruben Amorim, insisted on keeping him in his plans. "I think they didn't have the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted me," he added.
Hurt by the Club's Stance and Saudi Links
The Portuguese playmaker, who has been a talismanic figure for United since his arrival in 2020, scoring 103 goals in 307 appearances across all competitions, admitted the club's stance was painful. According to reports in the Portuguese sports daily A Bola, Fernandes said, "The feeling I got from the club was, 'if you leave, it's not so bad for us'. That hurt me a little."
Fernandes confirmed he did consider a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, which would have seen him follow the path of his legendary compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo made his high-profile move to Al Nassr in 2023 after a contentious exit from Old Trafford.
Fernandes made it clear that the power to leave ultimately rested with him. "If I had said I wanted to leave, even if the coach wanted me to stay, the club would have let me go," he asserted.
Amorim's Faith Seals Stay at Old Trafford
The key factor in Bruno Fernandes remaining a Manchester United player was the unwavering support of manager Ruben Amorim. The former Sporting CP coach, who took over at United, reportedly convinced the midfielder that he was a crucial part of the project moving forward.
This vote of confidence from the dugout was enough for Fernandes to dismiss the Saudi Arabian interest and commit his future to the club, despite the mixed signals from the executive level. His decision underscores the significant influence a manager's plans can have on a top player's career choices.
The revelation adds another layer of intrigue to Manchester United's ongoing rebuilding process and raises questions about the club's long-term strategy regarding its star assets.
