Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has turned down a big-money move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, citing his desire to continue playing at the highest level of the sport.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, had been seriously considering a contract that would have more than doubled his current salary at Old Trafford—where he is already one of the club’s top earners.
However, after consulting with his family, Fernandes informed Al-Hilal that he would not be making the switch.
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semi-final clash with Germany in Munich on Wednesday, Fernandes revealed that United manager Ruben Amorim had urged him to stay.
“Manchester United said they didn’t want to sell me,” Fernandes explained. “They made it clear that if I wanted to leave, I could—but they didn’t need the money. I spoke with coach Ruben Amorim, and throughout the entire period, he was encouraging me not to go.”
Fernandes admitted that the offer from Al-Hilal was tempting, calling it an “exciting” opportunity, especially given the growing number of Portuguese stars—like Cristiano Ronaldo, João Cancelo, and Rúben Neves—already playing in Saudi Arabia.
Still, he stood firm: “I want to play at the highest possible level. I want to compete in major tournaments. I know I still can. I want to keep doing what I love, and be happy doing it.
“For better or worse, this is how I view football. I’m passionate about it, and this is the decision I’ve made.”
Manchester United are reportedly pleased with Fernandes’ choice to stay. Amorim had previously stated his belief that his captain would remain at the club.
There were no formal negotiations between United and Al-Hilal, meaning the English club was never faced with an official bid. Nevertheless, sources suggest Al-Hilal was prepared to offer between £80 million and £100 million to secure Fernandes’ signature ahead of this month’s FIFA Club World Cup.
