Bruno Fernandes breaks silence on Man United futue amid Saudi links

Man United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has moved to clarify his position after continued reports linking him with a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal were prepared to offer £100m to secure his signature in the summer, while presenting a contract that would have placed him among the highest earners in world football. Despite the scale of that proposal, Fernandes chose to remain at Old Trafford, yet the sense of unfinished business around the rumours lingers.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s Group F qualifier against Republic of Ireland, the Man United captain stressed his reasoning for rejecting the move.

“I didn’t close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup,” Fernandes said.“That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United , and the club wanted me to stay. That’s all there is to it.”

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His words point to a player content in his surroundings rather than one weighing up exit strategies. For all the noise around eye-watering contracts and late-career windfalls, Fernandes painted a picture of simple loyalty to his current club, a trait not always associated with high-profile footballers in an era of rapid transfers.

Fernandes also shut down any suggestion that talks over a delayed move had been held.

“That’s an impossible scenario to imagine, because it’s nothing that’s been discussed with me,” he added.“When it was discussed with me, I spoke openly with you at a press conference before a Nations League match.”

With those comments, it becomes harder to frame him as a player caught between ambition and financial temptation. Instead, he positioned himself as someone firmly present in the current moment.

Beyond club matters, Fernandes emphasised his continued focus on performing for his country.

“I like to enjoy the moment, and the most important thing for me now is representing the national team, because it’s a source of enormous pride to be able to play (Saturday), and I still don’t know if I’ll play, let alone if I’ll leave Manchester United in a year.“I’m happy where I am. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stayed, but it’s something that doesn’t affect me.”

Those words should reassure Man United fans. Their captain is not daydreaming about distant offers, he is locked into the season ahead. What happens next summer will depend on far more than speculation. For now, Bruno Fernandes is exactly where he wants to be.