Al Nassr v Al Taawoun: Saudi Pro League - Source: Getty
Al Nassr v Al Taawoun: Saudi Pro League - Source: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly urged Al-Nassr to sign his former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder could leave Old Trafford in the summer.
Fernandes' future at Manchester United has been under plenty of speculation since last summer. He was linked with an exit, with Saudi Arabian clubs interested. However, he decided to stay at Old Trafford for another season.
The midfielder's contract with the Red Devils expires in 2027. Hence, they could look to sell him this summer to gain a big transfer fee instead of letting him leave for free next year. As per 365 Scored (via NFC World), Al-Nassr are among several clubs interested in signing him.
Moreover, Cristiano Ronaldo is keen to bring his compatriot to Al-Nassr as well. The two have shared the pitch 51 times at the club level for Manchester United, combining for three goals. Meanwhile, they've played 67 matches together for Portugal, combining for six goals.
The duo will combine for A Selecao at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final appearance at the tournament. Fernandes could then join him at Al-Nassr, who will have to compete with Al-Hilal for his signature.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes opened up about his links to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia last summer
Bruno Fernandes was linked with a move to Al-Hilal, rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr, last summer. In an interview with Canal 11 in December, the Manchester United skipper said he could have left and earned a big salary. He also said that he felt the Premier League giants wanted him to leave as well.
Fernandes explained:
“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.’ 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, 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.”
Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in January 2020. He has recorded 105 goals and 101 assists in 318 games for them across competitions, winning multiple trophies.