Bruno Fernandes (foto: Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes admits he was close to leaving Manchester United for Al Hilal and reveals he felt the club no longer valued him, increasing pressure on co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Bruno Fernandes has spoken candidly about his future at Manchester United, admitting he came close to joining Al Hilal and felt the club would have been comfortable letting him go.
In an interview with Portugal’s Canal 11, the United captain revealed that the feeling of no longer being fully valued by his club hurt him more than the financial temptation of a move to Saudi Arabia.
“Until you win a trophy, you are not valued enough, regardless of the club or the league,” Fernandes said. “I was valued, and my club should value me the most, but I feel like I’ve been on the edge lately.”
The Portuguese midfielder suggested age plays a major role in how players are viewed in English football.
“In England, when a player starts to approach his thirties, they start thinking about renovation. It’s like you are a piece of furniture,” he added.
Fernandes admitted he could have left during the last transfer window, with Saudi interest becoming increasingly concrete.
“I could have left. I would have earned much more money. In the past, I was close to going somewhere else where I would have won trophies,” he said.
Despite that, Fernandes insisted his decision to stay was driven by loyalty and emotion rather than finances.
“I made the decision, also for my family, but above all because I sincerely love the club,” he explained. “The conversation with the coach was key.”
What troubled him most, however, was the message he felt he received from the club hierarchy.
“From the club’s side, I had the feeling: ‘If you leave, it’s okay.’ That hurts me,” Fernandes admitted. “It actually makes me sad because I’m a player they have nothing to reproach. I’m always available, I always play, good or bad, I always give my best.”
Fernandes also revealed details of the direct approach from Saudi Arabia.
“The president of Al Hilal called me directly,” he said. “Rúben Neves had already messaged me saying he wanted to talk. They wanted me for the Club World Cup.”
He added that the interest was not new, dating back to 2023, when former Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus had already made contact.
While acknowledging the massive financial gap, Fernandes insisted money has never been his main motivation.
“I can’t complain about my salary, but the difference is huge. Still, it never drove me,” he said. “If I ever play in Saudi Arabia, I will. The lifestyle changes, the league is growing, the kids have sun instead of rain in Manchester.”
Crucially, Fernandes denied ever forcing United’s hand.
“I never put pressure on the club. I never said I wouldn’t train or that I wanted to leave at any cost,” he stressed.
In his most revealing comment, Fernandes suggested the final decision came down to the manager rather than the club’s leadership.
“I feel in my heart that the club wanted me to go,” he said. “I told the directors that. I don’t think they had the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted to keep me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me.”
The remarks increase pressure on Jim Ratcliffe and United’s new football leadership, raising fresh questions about how the club treats its most influential players during a turbulent rebuild.