Bruno: 'Manchester United wanted me to leave'

For years now he is the best player in the team, yet these are the years in which Manchester United is not a title contender. Bruno Fernandes is well aware of that. And even if he wasn’t before, he certainly became aware of it this June, when Al Hilal came knocking and United began to hope that the Portuguese would accept the Saudis’ offer. That entire failed transfer saga — failed only because Bruno did not want to leave Old Trafford — forced the 31-year-old midfielder to reflect. And to come to a philosophical realization that his time is slowly slipping away, regardless of the fact that retirement is still far off.

In an interview with Portuguese outlet Canal 11, conducted a few weeks ago and arranged by the Portuguese national team, the United captain has lifted the lid on his failed move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

“Manchester United wanted me to leave, I have that in my head. I think they didn’t have the courage because Ruben Amorim wanted me here but from the club’s side I felt that if I left, it wouldn’t be so bad. Cristiano advised me, but the final decision always rested with me. I decided to stay because I genuinely love the club, but loyalty isn’t as well regarded as it once was” he revealed.

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Fernandes seems to be hurt by the fact that the club doesn‘t regard him as well as he regards the club and think about the money instead.

“I could have left in the last transfer window and I would have earned much more money. I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season. I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely love the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘If you leave, it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who there is nothing to criticise. I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then, you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad” he said.

Again? Bruno on Saudi radar, this time is serious

Finally, the Portuguese midfielder revealed that the club would have no problem selling their captain to Saudi Arabia, only if Amorim told them that he doesn‘t need him.

“If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia. My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I’ll be playing in a growing league, with renowned players. I could have left like many people do and said: ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for 20 or 30 million euros, so they pay me more on the other side. But I never did that. But it gets to a point where, for them, money is more important than anything. The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go” said Fernandes.

EFL CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Tuesday

23.00: (8.50) Cardiff (5.50) Chelsea (1.33)

Wednesday

22.30: (1.40) Man.City (5.00) Brentford (7.00)

23.15: (1.75) Newcastle (3.60) Fulham (4.90)

Tuesday (23.12)

23.00: (1.53) Arsenal (4.10) Crystal Palace (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***