Bruno Fernandes has spoken about his time at Manchester United in conversation on Rio Ferdinand Presents, opening up about opportunities elsewhere that he rejected through his love of the Reds
Bruno Fernandes speaks during an interview
Bruno Fernandes has spoken about his time at Man United
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Bruno Fernandes has admitted that his spell at Manchester United hasn't unfolded as he'd envisioned, revealing he had chances to move elsewhere during the club's most turbulent period.
The Portuguese playmaker arrived at Old Trafford in a £47million switch from Sporting CP back in January 2020. While the 31-year-old would have harboured dreams of recreating the silverware-rich success the club enjoyed during Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic reign, matters haven't quite materialised in that fashion under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and now, Ruben Amorim.
In five years, Fernandes has collected just an FA Cup and a League Cup for his contributions in United's midfield, while the club's top-flight displays have also deteriorated since his arrival. Last season witnessed United record their worst-ever Premier League campaign since the competition's launch in 1992, with Amorim's introduction seeing the Reds languish in a disappointing 15th place, reports the Mirror.
The club also fell short of claiming the Europa League crown in May, following a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Fernandes has now looked back on his Old Trafford journey.
When Ferdinand questioned him about his affection for the club, the United skipper responded: "Obviously, I think the time at the club has not been as I wanted because obviously, I wanted to lift trophies and I haven't lift as many as I should and I could.
"But at the same time, I think everything I've done for the club in a certain way was still very important and not taking nothing away from other players that were here and everything. I think when we struggled the most, I stayed present to the club and I think everyone at the club, I hope, is aware of that because the chances I had were very good.
"So I'm very aware that I could have done a different path. I could have gone in a different way and probably winning more trophies and people talking about me in a different way because I've had trophies into my cabinet.
Bruno Fernandes reacts
Bruno Fernandes joined Man United in 2020(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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"So nowadays people talk more like you are a better player or a worse player if you win or you lose trophies. It changed a lot because if I look at the past, [Francesco] Totti is known as one of the best players in Italy and unfortunately for him he hasn't won many trophies."
Fernandes had spoken to Ferdinand earlier this month, before a recent interview surfaced in which he alleged that the United board were eager to see him leave during the summer transfer window. Saudi powerhouses Al-Hilal were prepared to offer United £100m for Fernandes' signature, but the attacking midfielder chose to remain at Old Trafford instead.
The club were also reportedly prepared to pay Fernandes £700,000-a-week, which would have netted him approximately £100m across a three-year deal. Now, the playmaker has indicated that whilst Amorim was keen for him to stay, the United executives were eager to cash in.
Speaking to Canal 11, he said: "I can't complain, I'm very well paid, but obviously the difference is huge. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I'll play in Saudi Arabia.
"My lifestyle will change, my children's lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I'll be playing in a growing league, with recognised players. I could have left like many people do and said, 'I want to leave, I don't want to train, I just want to leave for €20m or €30m, so they pay me more on the other side.'
Rio Ferdinand walks
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes appeared on Rio Ferdinand's podcast(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
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"But I never did that. I never felt in a position to do that, because I felt that the empathy and affection I had for the club were the same. But there comes a point where, for them, money is more important than anything.
"The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn't have the courage to make that decision. I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like 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 lot. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I'm a player they have nothing to criticise about.
"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."