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The player told Kanal: “The club wanted me to leave. That’s what I thought in my head. I told the managers about this, but I don’t think they had the courage to make that decision. I decided to stay because of family reasons.” But it was because I really like the club. The conversation with the manager also led me to stay. But from the club’s side, I felt a little bit like, “It wouldn’t be too bad for us if you left.”
“More than it hurts, it makes me sad because I’m a player who doesn’t have anything that they criticize. I’m always available, good or bad, I always play and give my all. And when you look at the situation around you, there are players who don’t value the club as much and don’t protect the club as much… It makes me sad.”
The revelations raise fresh questions over the 31-year-old’s future at United, just days before next winter’s transfer window opens. According to talkSPORT, the feeling in the club’s dressing room is that Fernandes could leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The Portuguese midfielder remains under contract with the club until 2027, with United having the option to extend this by a further year. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that releasing Fernandes to the Saudi Arabian team would generate significant revenue that would help turn Ruben Amorim’s team into a genuine contender over time.
This could also be a natural turning point for Fernandes, who will complete six-and-a-half years at United by next summer, as he seeks pastures new. His latest interview appears to contradict previous statements made to journalists in October, when the club revealed it reflected Amorim’s desire to stay.
“The manager spoke to me. He said I was still part of the project. He wanted me to stay. The club said the same thing. If the club says, ‘Bruno, we want to make money, you’re 30 years old. I want to make money. I don’t think you’ll be able to participate in any future projects,’ and I’d say, ‘Okay, I have to find a solution myself. Whatever’s best for me and my family. And I’ll do it.’
“But obviously that wasn’t the case. I felt I was still part of the plan and could help the club achieve whatever our goals were. And that’s what made me stay. Obviously I have a big connection with the fans, the club and also the country. My family is very well here.”
