KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MAY 28: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United speaks to the broadcaster ... More after the match between Manchester United and ASEAN All Stars at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Bruno Fernandes might have played his final match for Manchester United. The Portuguese international is reportedly of interest to clubs in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal leading the race to land Fernandes. The 30-year-old could triple his salary by leaving Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.
In numerous ways, the loss of Fernandes would be a gigantic blow for United. The 30-year-old is the only true world class star at the club. Fernandes has saved Manchester United so many times when the team around him has needed someone to come up with something special. The Portuguese is a constant goal threat, both as a creator and a finisher.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim with Bruno Fernandes during ... More the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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And yet there is an argument that collecting a transfer fee of around €100m, as Al-Hilal is reportedly willing to pay, for Fernandes would be good business for Manchester United, the idea being that the club could re-invest this money to make its team stronger as a whole. This is the theory.
Of course, United’s recent transfer market success has been so low that there is concern the club would squander any fee for Fernandes and end up in an even worse situation. Fernandes is the only slam dunk signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and there’s no guarantee selling him will help Manchester United’s situation.
“He is saying no to a lot of things,” said Ruben Amorim when asked about the future of Fernandes. “He needs to be in the best league in the world. Of course I talk to him, I explain things and I just have that feeling. When you talk to someone you have that feeling if he wants to stay. The feeling I get every time I speak with him is that he wants to continue for sure with Man Utd. You never know.”
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Liam Delap of Ipswich Town during the Premier League match between ... More Ipswich Town FC and Brentford FC at Portman Road on May 10, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Manchester United certainly needs reinforcements in several areas of the squad. Amorim requires a new centre forward to lead the line, but has missed out on landing Liam Delap after the Ipswich Town striker reportedly decided to join Chelsea instead. United also needs better players in the centre of midfield.
Amorim’s system requires top-level wing backs, but Manchester United doesn’t have such players. This could be another area where the transfer fee from the sale of Fernandes to Saudi Arabia might help to find solutions in the transfer market. Without Fernandes, though, United could drop even lower before things improve. This is the risk.