Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed why he decided to turn down a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal offered Fernandes an eye-watering £700,000-a-week salary if he joined them this summer.
They were also ready to tempt United with a blockbuster £100 million offer for Fernandes.
The 30-year-old considered the offer but opted to turn it down after discussing it with his family.
Speaking to the media ahead of upcoming international fixtures, Fernandes revealed why he rebuffed Al-Hilal’s approach.
He said (via BeanymanSports): “I talked to the gaffer, Ruben Amorim, and at the time he asked me not to go.
“I then talked to United. They said they didn’t want to sell me. If I wanted to go, I could, but they didn’t need the money, they didn’t need to sell me.
“I spoke with my family to understand if that was what I wanted for my future. It was actually my wife who asked me, I never said yes or no. She put my professional priorities ahead of everything else.”
“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.”
Amorim never wanted Fernandes to leave
United head coach Ruben Amorim reiterated several times over the last few weeks that he wants Fernandes to be part of his team next season.
The club hierarchy also backed his stance, expressing to Fernandes that they would only sell him if he wanted to leave.
United are in a poor financial state after more than a decade of poor investments and interest paid to the Glazers.
INEOS have undertaken several cost-cutting measures, including terminating the jobs of over 200 staff members and cancelling Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador contract.
Missing out on European football for next season and finishing 15th in the Premier League will further hit their revenues.
The offer of £100m would have been a lifeline for them in these testing circumstances.
However, they took the correct stance by not cashing in on Fernandes.
Selling your best player of the last decade after the club’s poorest season in their history would have been an abysmal decision.
The Portuguese maestro still has many years left to play at the highest level, and United fans will be grateful to their skipper.