Bruno Fernandes has claimed Manchester United wanted to sell him during the summer when Al-Hilal offered £100m. The captain revealed he was hurt by the club’s willingness to cash in and disclosed he nearly left a season ago to win trophies elsewhere.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed that senior figures at the club were prepared to sell him during the summer transfer window, claiming he was “hurt” and “sad” by their willingness to cash in on him when Al-Hilal offered £100million.
The bombshell interview
Speaking to Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernandes made extraordinary claims about the dynamics at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old midfielder suggested the club’s hierarchy lacked the courage to push through his departure only because head coach Ruben Amorim wanted him to stay.
“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head,” Fernandes stated. “I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me.”
The Portugal international held discussions with United chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox about a potential exit. According to Fernandes, they made clear they would not stand in his way – a stance that left him questioning his value to the club after five years of service.
Loyalty no longer valued
Fernandes expressed frustration at what he perceives as a shift in how loyalty is regarded in modern football: “The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be. I could have left in the last transfer window. I would have earned much more money.
“The passion and empathy I had for the club were the same, but it reaches a point where money is more important to them than you. From the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘If you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticise.”
He added pointedly: “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.”
The trophy that got away
In perhaps the most revealing section of the interview, Fernandes disclosed he was close to leaving United a year before the Al-Hilal approach: “I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season. But I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.”
The unnamed club won silverware during the 2024-25 campaign, meaning Fernandes sacrificed trophies by remaining at United through another turbulent season that ended with a 15th-place Premier League finish and Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
United’s counter-narrative
Manchester United sources have responded firmly to Fernandes’ claims. The club insists there is “no desire” for him to leave and that he remains “central” to their long-term plans. Sky Sports News understands the leadership were clear with Fernandes throughout the summer – and remain adamant – that he is part of their project.
The interview was conducted several weeks ago through the Portuguese Football Federation, adding context to the timing of Fernandes’ comments. Since then, he has continued his excellent form, taking his career record to 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 United appearances.
Bayern Munich monitoring
The revelations emerge amid reports linking Fernandes with Bayern Munich. According to TalkSPORT, there is a feeling within the United dressing room that this could be his final season at Old Trafford. The Bundesliga giants are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Fernandes is contracted until June 2027, with the club holding an option to extend. He has previously stated he will address his future after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he will represent Portugal alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Context and implications
Fernandes’ interview echoes Mohamed Salah’s recent comments at Liverpool, where the Egyptian claimed to have been “thrown under the bus” by the club. Both situations highlight the increasing tension between star players approaching their thirties and clubs viewing them as depreciating assets.
At United alone, more significant and successful players than Fernandes – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eric Cantona – have left the club and been succeeded by replacements who helped deliver Premier League and Champions League titles. Whether United can afford to lose their captain at this juncture, however, remains a different question entirely.
Bruno Fernandes has claimed Manchester United wanted to sell him during the summer when Al-Hilal offered £100m. The captain revealed he was hurt by the club’s willingness to cash in and disclosed he nearly left a season ago to win trophies elsewhere.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed that senior figures at the club were prepared to sell him during the summer transfer window, claiming he was “hurt” and “sad” by their willingness to cash in on him when Al-Hilal offered £100million.
The bombshell interview
Speaking to Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernandes made extraordinary claims about the dynamics at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old midfielder suggested the club’s hierarchy lacked the courage to push through his departure only because head coach Ruben Amorim wanted him to stay.
“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head,” Fernandes stated. “I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me.”
The Portugal international held discussions with United chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox about a potential exit. According to Fernandes, they made clear they would not stand in his way – a stance that left him questioning his value to the club after five years of service.
Loyalty no longer valued
Fernandes expressed frustration at what he perceives as a shift in how loyalty is regarded in modern football: “The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be. I could have left in the last transfer window. I would have earned much more money.
“The passion and empathy I had for the club were the same, but it reaches a point where money is more important to them than you. From the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘If you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticise.”
He added pointedly: “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.”
The trophy that got away
In perhaps the most revealing section of the interview, Fernandes disclosed he was close to leaving United a year before the Al-Hilal approach: “I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season. But I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.”
The unnamed club won silverware during the 2024-25 campaign, meaning Fernandes sacrificed trophies by remaining at United through another turbulent season that ended with a 15th-place Premier League finish and Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
United’s counter-narrative
Manchester United sources have responded firmly to Fernandes’ claims. The club insists there is “no desire” for him to leave and that he remains “central” to their long-term plans. Sky Sports News understands the leadership were clear with Fernandes throughout the summer – and remain adamant – that he is part of their project.
The interview was conducted several weeks ago through the Portuguese Football Federation, adding context to the timing of Fernandes’ comments. Since then, he has continued his excellent form, taking his career record to 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 United appearances.
Bayern Munich monitoring
The revelations emerge amid reports linking Fernandes with Bayern Munich. According to TalkSPORT, there is a feeling within the United dressing room that this could be his final season at Old Trafford. The Bundesliga giants are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Fernandes is contracted until June 2027, with the club holding an option to extend. He has previously stated he will address his future after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he will represent Portugal alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Context and implications
Fernandes’ interview echoes Mohamed Salah’s recent comments at Liverpool, where the Egyptian claimed to have been “thrown under the bus” by the club. Both situations highlight the increasing tension between star players approaching their thirties and clubs viewing them as depreciating assets.
At United alone, more significant and successful players than Fernandes – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eric Cantona – have left the club and been succeeded by replacements who helped deliver Premier League and Champions League titles. Whether United can afford to lose their captain at this juncture, however, remains a different question entirely.
