Bruno Fernandes reveals he turned down two major transfer opportunities to stay loyal to Manchester United and pursue trophy success at Old Trafford

Bruno Fernandes has spoken candidly about his loyalty to Manchester United, revealing that he had not one, but two chances to leave the club, yet chose to stay.

The Red Devils captain insists his commitment is rooted in belief in the club’s potential to win trophies, even if that journey has been challenging at times.

Turning Down Big Moves

Fernandes disclosed in a recent interview with the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast that the club could have let him go during tough periods, including a lucrative summer offer from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal.

“The club said, ‘no, we need you.’ And I said, okay, you gave me something. I will give you something,” Fernandes explained.

The 31-year-old, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £68million in 2020, admitted that the time at the club hasn’t matched all his ambitions.

While he has lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Premier League and Champions League glory remain elusive.

Loyalty Over Trophies

Fernandes drew inspiration from Francesco Totti’s loyalty to Roma, noting that a player’s value isn’t solely measured by trophies.

“I think when we struggled the most, I stayed present to the club… I could have done a different path, probably winning more trophies, but I stayed here,” he said.

He also voiced frustration that loyalty isn’t always appreciated.

“It hurts me a bit… I give my all. Then, you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much… that makes you sad,” Fernandes added.

The Saudi Offer

Al-Hilal reportedly offered Fernandes a staggering three-year deal worth £700,000 a week, potentially totaling £65million per season with bonuses.

Despite the life-changing proposal, Fernandes turned it down for family reasons and his desire to remain at a club he loves.

His agent, Miguel Pinho, conducted talks in Riyadh, but Fernandes ultimately stayed at Old Trafford.

Conversations With United Leadership

Fernandes previously discussed his future with chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and manager Ruben Amorim during a post-season tour in Malaysia.

He said that the club made clear they wanted him to stay but would not block a financially compelling move.

“I always said that if the club… wanted to make some money, I would leave – but that wasn’t the case,” he explained.

Eyes on the Future

Despite the turbulence and tempting offers abroad, Fernandes believes United still offers a path to silverware.

“I stayed here because I think I still can win trophies here… the aim of the club is still to get back to where they want to be and where I want the club to be,” he said.

A Message to Fans

Fernandes’ honesty shows a player who balances ambition with devotion.

While trophies are important, his commitment to United speaks volumes about his character and connection to the club.

As he continues to lead the team on the pitch, his focus remains firmly on helping the Red Devils return to their winning ways.

Full Interview

For those wanting the full context, Fernandes’ conversation is available on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, offering deeper insight into the decisions and loyalty that define his time at Manchester United.