Bruno Fernandes has become a modern Manchester United icon despite a lack of titles in recent years, but he was extremely close to joining a Premier League rival instead
Bruno Fernandes speaks during a press conference
Bruno Fernandes confessed he came close to joining Tottenham prior to his Manchester United move in 2020
View 3 Images
The legacy of Bruno Fernandes might look a lot different had he joined the first Premier League club to come calling for his signature. And despite the success he has enjoyed at Manchester United, they didn't show as much initiative as Tottenham when it came to securing his services.
It was back in the summer of 2019, when Jose Mourinho was in charge of Spurs, that they first launched an enquiry to recruit the then-Sporting CP star. However, the north Londoners weren't willing to match the player's asking price, and he remained in Portugal instead.
The 31-year-old ended up moving to Old Trafford for an initial £47million less than six months later. Fast-forward to today, and Fernandes is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's elite stars, having skippered United for almost three seasons now.
But things might have materialised a lot differently had Spurs stumped up the cash for his services a little more than six years ago. And Fernandes laid the facts out in a respectful manner while discussing the would-be transfer at the end of the 2019 summer window.
In a 2019 interview with GQ, he said: "As you all know, Tottenham made a lot of proposals for me. Everything was right with me - or practically should be. I never made any big demands, my manager was always dealing with the finances.
"It was, and is, my goal to play in England. Sporting know that, everyone knows that, and there were conditions for things to be done. But Sporting understood that the value was not enough and I have to respect the decision."
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after teammate Matheus Cunha (not pictured) scores his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth
Fernandes has been arguably United's most valuable player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era
View 3 Images
Fernandes' transfer fate is once again at the top of everyone's minds at Old Trafford following more links with a move away next year. The Portugal star was reportedly hunted by Saudi outfit Al-Hilal this past summer and recently opened up on the speculation, aiming a jab at United for not making him feel as wanted as he would like.
"I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club," he told Maisfutebol. "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 lot.
"More than hurting, it makes me sad because I'm a player they have nothing to criticise about. I'm always available, and 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."
Jose Mourinho as head coach of Fenerbahce
Jose Mourinho was in charge at Tottenham when they raised interest in Fernandes' signature
View 3 Images
Ruben Amorim evidently played a big role in keeping United's captain at the club for at least another season. However, that may prove to be only a temporary fix as Fernandes has since conducted another interview hinting at moves to Spain, Italy or Portugal.
He told Canal 11 he "would like to experience the Spanish league and fight for big titles in Italy," where his daughter was born. He also namedropped Sporting as a potential reunion that could be on the cards should they come calling.
The playmaker has made 196 direct goal contributions in 307 appearances for United and is contracted at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of an extra year. Tottenham may regret not paying up for a player who has consistently proved his class in England, with Spurs' loss proving to be United's gain in a big way.