Bruno Fernandes has confirmed that he chose to stay at Manchester United over rejecting a sizable offer from Saudi Arabia and said he wanted to “play at the highest level” forever.
The football midfielder confirmed he had received an “exciting offer” from Al-Hilal but wanted to play for manager Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Old Trafford while speaking to media in a Portugal camp ahead of Wednesday’s Nations League semifinal against Germany in Munich.
According to reports, Al-Hilal reportedly offered United up to 100 million British pounds ($135 million) for the 30-year-old Portugal international.
Fernandes confirmed that the club “waited for me to consider my future” when Al-Hilal president called and inquired about moving there.
Fernandes went on to say that the gaffer had asked him not to go, adding that Manchester United had stated that they didn’t want to sell me.
They said I could go if I wanted, but they didn’t need the money.
With the presence of several Portuguese internationals like Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Neves, the player stated that “I want to play at the highest level.”
I want to compete in major tournaments. I want to be content doing what I love most, and I know I can still.
I’ve decided to pursue this view of football, whether it is for the better or worse, because I’m passionate about it.
Fernandes is what Man United needs.
United finished 15th overall, which was their worst performance of the Premier League era. Additionally, Tottenham won the Europa League championship match.
With 19 goals and 19 assists in all competitions, United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit after a terrible season.
Gary Neville, former United captain, is now a Sky Sports pundit. He called the development “significant.”
You couldn’t say that it would have been a bad deal, he said, “I think there was a component of this situation that meant United getting that level of money, obviously, for someone like Bruno’s age.”
“On the other hand, Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s star player for the past four, five, and six years, and that’s sometimes only player.” He is very significant.
Neville continued, “To turn that money down at a time when Manchester United is at their lowest ebb and say, “No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and accomplish things,” I think it says a lot about him as a person and as a character.
“The club needs people who will run through a brick wall for them,” the club said.
As Amorim revamps his underperforming squad, United are expected to be busy in the transfer market.
The club has already signed Brazilian international Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho might make the trip.
Source: Aljazeera
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