Man United star Bruno Fernandes has turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a big-money deal.
Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes laugh together at a Manchester United press conference.
Ruben Amorim (left) will be thrilled with Bruno Fernandes' decision on his future.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has outlined his desire to continue playing "at the highest level" after rejecting the opportunity to seal a big-money move to Al-Hilal.
The Saudi Arabian side's interest in the Portuguese international emerged last week and it was claimed they were prepared to make a £100million offer to secure his signature.
Fernandes, 30, was understood to have given the move serious consideration amid United's willingness to sell any member of the squad this summer.
However, he confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday evening that he has turned down a move to the Saudi outfit because of his hunger to continue playing at the highest level, boosting United's chances of retaining their star player.
"I want to play at the highest possible level," said Fernandes. "I want to play major competitions.
"I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most. For better or worse, this is how I see football and I'm passionate about football and this is the decision I've made."
Fernandes' decision to turn down a move to Saudi Arabia will delight United head coach Ruben Amorim, who has often waxed lyrical about his fellow countryman ever since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford last November.
Fernandes is central to Amorim's plans, with the former Sporting Lisbon man often getting United out of trouble this season. He is effective from pretty much anywhere on the pitch and will always contribute goals and assists.
Furthermore, Amorim has already admitted he will be key to United's hopes of attempting to return to the top step of English football's podium in the coming years.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.
Manchester United will now be hoping to retain Bruno Fernandes.(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.)
Speaking back in April, Amorim said: "That is the challenge [to win silverware]. I want Bruno here.
"We want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players with us. He's still so young because he plays 55 games every season.
"Between assists and goals, he's there for 30 at least. He's the type of player we want here, he's not going anywhere."
Fernandes' durability and reliability is one of his biggest strengths. He played 57 times for United this season, missing only three matches, two of which were through suspension.
United, as tempting as a £100m bid might have been for a soon-to-be 31-year-old, need players like Fernandes. He has been their best player of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era by some distance, and Amorim loves him.
His desire to continue playing at the highest level will be music to Amorim's ears, and it shows that Fernandes has put his football career before wealth. It is characters of that ilk that both United and Amorim need.