The latest Manchester United news as the club captain has turned down a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal in the summer transfer window following a conversation with wife Ana Pinho.
Bruno Fernandes speaks to the media prior to the Portugal Training Session And Press Conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final between Germany and Portugal.
Bruno Fernandes speaks to the media prior to the Portugal Training Session And Press Conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final between Germany and Portugal.
(Image: Maja Hitij - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes provided a massive boost to Manchester United in the summer transfer window, by rejecting a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
There was significant interest in the United captain this summer, with the player’s agent meeting with Al-Hilal officials to discuss a possible move. The Manchester Evening News understands the United captain seriously considered leaving the club but ultimately rejected the Saudi Pro League side's proposal.
It is reported that Fernandes was offered a multi-million pound package to make the move from Old Trafford, but that has now been turned down. There was no formal contact between Al-Hilal and United, amid reports of a £100million fee.
Amid the talk surrounding Fernandes’ wife, here’s a look at the player’s life off the pitch.
Net worth
While his net worth is not exactly known,finance monthly estimate it to be at around £60-70 million. He is reportedly on an annual salary of around £12.5 million at United, with bonuses and endorsements from deals with brands such as Adidas and EA Sports earning him an extra £5-8 million per year.
It was reported that Al-Hilal offered Fernandes a £700,000-per-week three-year contract which would have been worth a whopping £109m. He is also reported to have multiple properties in both England and Portugal which also add to his overall net worth.
Family life
Fernandes is married to childhood sweetheart Ana Pinho who he first met as a teenager. The two got married three years later in 2015.
The Portugal international revealed in his Players Tribune column in May 2014 that his wife used to work as a futsal referee. “She used to do three or four matches in a row on a Saturday, and then we would always go to the cinema on Sundays,” he wrote.
“I personally didn’t have much money at the time so Ana was the one who had to pay for our movie tickets. Same with going out to dinner. Even at the pizza shop, she had to pay.
“When I moved to Italy at 17, I lived at the training ground for the first year, and then she followed me at 18, when she finished high school. From day one, we have pursued this dream together.”
The couple have two children together. Their daughter Matilde was born in January 2017, and their son Goncalo was born in September 2020.
Fernandes often shares heartwarming family moments on his Instagram page, including celebrating birthdays, playing football with his son and playing in the snow with his children.
Speaking of his potential move to Al-Hilal, Fernandes revealed it was his wife who convinced him to stay at United.
“I spoke with my family to understand if that was what I wanted for my future,” Fernandes said ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semi-final against Germany.
“It was actually my wife who asked me — I never said yes or no. She put my professional priorities ahead of everything else. It would have been an easy move. I had Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo there, two people I have a great friendship with.
“But I want to stay at the highest level, play in big competitions, because I still feel capable. I want to keep being happy, I’m still very passionate about this sport, and I’m happy with my decision.”
Incredible transformation
Fernandes has undergone an incredible transformation since moving from his first club Boavista to Italian side Novara in 2012. Novara are said to have paid a €40,000 (£33,700) fee for the transfer.
A picture of Fernandes posing with his new shirt 13 years ago has been shared online. The then 17-year-old looking unrecognisable from the Fernandes we know now at United.
Fernandes spent one year with Novara before moving to Udinese, he spent time on loan with Sampdoria before moving to Sporting CP in July 2017. He joined United in January 2020.