Bruno Fernandes has been speaking candidly about how he fought to stay at Manchester United in the summer.
I was not the only one who was a little uncomfortable when it appeared that Manchester United were opening the door for Bruno Fernandes to leave, this past summer.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal were prepared to pay in excess of £100 million to sign the Manchester United captain.
And there was a totally fair argument to cash in.
Fernandes had just captained the team to a worst-ever Premier League finish, and lost a cup final.
And aged 30 at the time, this was potentially a once-ever chance to land a fee exceeding the £80 million record sale for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
So you can see why United considered it. It would have been negligent not to.
Bruno Fernandes playing against Bournemouth
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
And even more so, when looking at how the club spent more than £120 million combined on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, shifting Fernandes to play in a deeper role.
Fernandes’ role has been a big topic of discussion this season, a contributory factor to the team’s porous midfield, and the ongoing omission of talented youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
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Now, before that debate takes us off-topic, let’s get back to business… Bruno Fernandes has been speaking about how United considered selling him.
What is Bruno Fernandes’ best position for Manchester United?
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What Bruno Fernandes said
Bruno Fernandes gave a pre-recorded interview in Portugal that was released this week, following United’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Fernandes expressed upset at how he perceived he was treated by the club.
He said: “Lately I feel like I’m on thin ice. In England, when a player starts approaching 30, they start thinking they need a makeover. It’s like the furniture.
“The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be. I could have left in the last transfer window, I would have earned much more money, I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season.
“I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely love the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay.
“But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticize.
“I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then, you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad.”
Bruno Fernandes says he felt United were happy for him to leave in the summer!
Should United have accepted a £100m offer from the Saudi Pro League? What do you think of his comments?
Bruno Fernandes quote graphic
Getty Images
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Bruno Fernandes is entitled to speak his mind
I have absolutely no problem with Bruno Fernandes’ comments.
Fernandes has given more to Manchester United than any player since he joined the club back in January 2020.
The Portugal international has netted 103 goals since he joined. That is the most of any player since the start of the 2020s.
He also leads United for assists, with more than 90, and he once again leads the Premier League for assists this season, with 7.
Most of all, Fernandes still clearly cares.
He was seen angrily remonstrating with his teammates as he left the pitch at Old Trafford following the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth.
It was a game in which Fernandes scored one of the best goals of his Manchester United career, a stunning free-kick which would have been worthy of winning any game.
Where does Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick vs Bournemouth rank among his best ever Man Utd goals?
What a hit!🎯
Bruno Fernandes scores free-kick vs Bournemouth
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes celebrates
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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There has been some media backlash against Fernandes for his comments – but not from Manchester United fans.
United supporters can see what Fernandes has given to the club.
How much he cares. How much he still cares. About every single match, about every minute.
And most of all – he chose to stay.
How many money-grabbing players have passed through Old Trafford over the past decade, who came for the wages, who would have ditched the club in an instant for a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia?
Fernandes had unimaginable wealth and perks thrown his way – and chose to turn it down to lead the club that finished 15th in the Premier League last season.
That is something to be admired. Fernandes knew last season was a stain on his record, and a stain on the club’s record – and he wants to put it right.
If he feels upset that Ineos felt the club could have rebuilt without him, that’s absolutely understandable.
And I can’t be too mad at Ineos either, for considering accepting a staggering fee for a player in his 30s.
It could have been win-win.
As we are seeing, Manchester United could be the real winners for still having Fernandes in the team.
Yes, he’s flawed. Yes, he might not be the perfect tactical fit for the role he’s in.
But he cares deeply about this club, and that is a trait that is hard to find. Add in his creative ability and eye for goal, and it’s clear that United are a better team with him.
Replacing Fernandes is one of those notions that sounds good in theory – but might be impossible.
United reluctantly cashed in on Ronaldo in 2009, and a player of his ilk has not walked through the door at Old Trafford since – until his brief return in 2021.
Let’s cherish Fernandes, let’s understand his right to be upset, move forward, and ignore the media trying to make any more of his comments.
He is doing the majority of his talking on the pitch, and that’s what we want to see.
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