Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has caused a stir by claiming the club want him to leave for Saudi Arabia in the summer and are now targeting a new midfielder.
Manchester United have no intention of parting ways with Bruno Fernandes, despite fresh speculation over his future at Old Trafford. Last summer, Fernandes turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia, but his departure has become a hot topic again after an interview with the Portuguese midfielder was published.
In a chat with Canal 11, Fernandes hinted that United would be open to a move to Al Hilal during the summer transfer window. The United captain also suggested that the club’s board lacked the “courage” to make decisions on his behalf.
Fernandes continued: “From the club’s side, I felt a little bit like, ‘If you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurt a lot. I’m not really hurt, I’m sad because I’m a player they don’t have anything to criticize. I’m always available, I’m always playing, good or bad, and I’m giving my all.”
However, club officials reiterated over the summer that management had been clear that Fernandes was integral to their future plans. They pointed to his own statements at a sit-down with Manchester-based reporters in October, claiming the club shared Ruben Amorim’s desire for him to stay.
read more: Transfer News LIVE: Fernandes’ bombshell departure from Man United, Semenyo’s race begins, Salah’s latest workread more: Bruno Fernandes bombshells new move to Man United: ‘It hurts so much!’
The Manchester Evening News understands that Fernandes does not want to leave United ahead of the summer transfer window, when the club plans to strengthen their midfield.
Last summer, United considered signing Carlos Baleva. Brighton made a hefty price tag of over £100m for the midfielder, with United prioritizing strengthening other areas of their squad.
They are also monitoring Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Casemiro’s contract expires at the end of this season. There is a 12-month extension option, but triggering it would mean the 33-year-old remains the dressing room’s breadwinner.
Casemiro was expected to leave at the end of his contract, but he has been a key figure for Amorim this season and there are rumors that he could stay at United.
United are looking to strengthen their midfield after the season ends. The Reds were happy not to call up the midfielder last summer, as the club’s leaders believed existing options were strong enough to secure European football.
Fernandes’ contract is set to expire in 2027, but he has an option to extend it by another year. He has played 307 games for the club, scoring 103 goals and providing 93 assists, and has been the club’s captain since July 2023, when manager Erik ten Hag announced he would replace Harry Maguire.
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