Why I rejected Saudi Arabia’s move – Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, has revealed why he turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, saying his decision was driven by family, ambition, and a desire to help the club recover from a difficult season.
At the end of last season, United officials reportedly told Fernandes he would not be blocked if he wanted to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, who were prepared to make a significant offer for the Portuguese midfielder.
However, after discussing the opportunity with his family, the 31-year-old chose to remain at Old Trafford, admitting there was emotional weight behind the decision.
As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, speaking on the Wayne Rooney show on Friday, Fernandes was quoted as saying, “I stayed because I thought I still had something that I could give back to the club.”
He acknowledged the financial appeal of the Saudi offer but said personal values played a decisive role in his choice.
“Obviously, the Saudi situation, with the money… There was a lot. The good thing I have in my family is that my wife is pretty down to earth like me,” he explained.
Fernandes said his family prioritised fulfilment over wealth, adding that they prefer to focus on achieving personal dreams rather than financial gain alone.
“We’re very aware that we don’t want to be the richest person in the world. We just want to be the ones that have achieved the dreams we had and live a good life with our kids and try to be as successful as possible,” he said.
He also revealed that a conversation with his wife helped clarify his thinking.
“The words of my wife were like, ‘Have you achieved your dreams? Have you achieved everything you wanted?’ And that small thing she said made me understand that she’s on the same page as me,” Fernandes said.
Another key factor in his decision was loyalty to Manchester United during a difficult period. The club finished 15th last season, their worst league performance since the 1973–74 campaign.
“I didn’t want to leave the club at the point where we were struggling,” he added.
Fernandes, who has scored 106 goals in 322 appearances since joining United in 2020, has won the FA Cup and League Cup but is still chasing major honours such as the Premier League and Champions League.
With a year left on his current contract, questions remain over his long-term future, especially as the club looks to manage wages under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting approach.
Despite uncertainty, Fernandes made clear his ambition remains unchanged.
“I want to win the Premier League. I want to win the Champions League. I never hide from that,” he said.
