Bruno Fernandes has spoken out about links with a proposed move to Saudi Arabia last summer – when his Manchester United future was uncertain.
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10:43, 16 Dec 2025
Bruno Fernandes has spoken out about his proposed exit from Manchester United this summer.(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has claimed the club wanted him to leave in the summer transfer window, amid links of a switch to Saudi Arabia.
There were reports of a concrete move made by Al-Hilal for a big fee – but the deal never went through – as the Old Trafford giants kept hold of their captain and main playmaker.
Speaking to Maisfutebol, he said on life at United, and those exit whispers: “I can’t complain, I’m very well paid, but obviously the difference is huge. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia.
“My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny – after six years in Manchester with cold and rain – I’ll be playing in a growing league, with recognised players.
“I could have left like many people do and said; ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for €20m or €30m, so they pay me more on the other side’. But I never did that. I never felt in a position to do that, because I felt that the empathy and affection I had for the club were the same.
“But there comes a point where, for them, money is more important than anything. The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision.
“I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like; ‘If you leave, it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a lot.
“More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise about. I’m always available, and I always play – good or bad – I give my all. Then you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad.”
It’s a surprising claim from the captain, who has been among those frustrated by United’s lack of competitiveness over recent seasons. A move to Saudi Arabia could’ve brought an end to his stay at Old Trafford, which will hit the five-year mark over the next few weeks.
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Fernandes revealed he had prior links to Al-Hilal – the club who were most heavily rumoured with a move – before he turned them down. On the switch, he added: “The president of Al-Hilal spoke to me. He called me directly. [Joao] Neves sent me a message saying he wanted to talk to me.
“They wanted him to play in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal. It was a love that started back in the Jorge Jesus days, he had already called me in 2023.”
It’s a surprising admission from Fernandes, just a few months on from the saga, as he continues to be an important part of the setup at United.
The 31-year-old has 18 months remaining on his current deal, which expires in 2027 – although there is a club option of another year which can be triggered.
It remains to be seen whether he will be keen to stay beyond that, particularly if those links with Al-Hilal appear again over the coming months, though he continues to be a player that Ruben Amorim relies on within his team.
Fernandes has moved from a No.10 role into a deeper role this season, a switch that brought some criticism upon Amorim early on, but has since worked wonders.
“The frustration that he feels is because he wants to help a lot,” the head coach said on his club captain earlier this season – as he hit the 300-appearance mark. “The teammates sometimes it’s not the best way but he comes from a good place and you don’t know that when you are not here.
“He wants the responsibility all the time. He suffers a lot with the losses. Every time we don’t win a game, you can feel it. He takes it personally, as he should as a captain. He is a great leader, a great footballer…”
