Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rocked the boat by claiming the club wanted him to leave for Saudi Arabia in the summer and now they are targeting new midfielders
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes claimed Manchester United wanted him to leave in the summer
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Manchester United have no intention of parting ways with Bruno Fernandes, despite renewed speculation about his future at Old Trafford. Last summer, Fernandes turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia, but his future has once again become a hot topic following the release of an interview with the Portuguese midfielder.
In a chat with Canal 11, Fernandes hinted that United were open to him moving to Al-Hilal during the summer transfer window. The United skipper also suggested that the club's board lacked the "courage" to make the decision on his behalf.
Fernandes went on to say: "From the club's side, I felt a bit like, 'If you leave, it's not so bad for us'. It hurts me a lot. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I'm a player who they have nothing to criticise about. I'm always available, and I always play - good or bad - I give my all."
However, club insiders have reiterated that the management was clear throughout the summer that Fernandes was integral to their future plans. They pointed to his own statement from an October sit-down with Manchester-based reporters, where he claimed that the club shared Ruben Amorim's wish for him to stay.
Manchester Evening News understands that there is no desire for Fernandes to leave United ahead of a summer transfer window in which the club plans to bolster its midfield.
Last summer, United contemplated signing Carlos Baleba. Brighton slapped a hefty price tag of over £100million on the midfielder, and United prioritised bolstering other areas of their squad.
They have also kept tabs on Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. Casemiro's contract is set to run out at the end of this season. While there is an option for a 12-month extension, activating it would mean the 33-year-old remains the top earner in the dressing room.
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton is being eyed by Red Devils chiefs
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Despite expectations that Casemiro will depart once his contract ends, he has become a key figure for Amorim this season, sparking rumours that he might stay on at United.
United are looking to beef up their midfield when the season concludes. The Reds were satisfied with not bringing in a midfielder last summer as the club chiefs were confident that the existing options were robust enough to secure European football.
Fernandes' contract is due to expire in 2027, with an option to extend it by another year. He has 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 games for the club and has been captain since July 2023, when Erik ten Hag decided to replace Harry Maguire as skipper.
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