Bruno Fernandes Criticizes Manchester United Directors Amid Saudi Transfer Interest
Bruno Fernandes has publicly criticized Manchester United directors, accusing them of wanting him to leave the club and lamenting that some teammates do not value the team. In an interview with Canal 11, a Portuguese Football Federation subscription channel, Fernandes revealed that clubs from Saudi Arabia, including Al-Hilal, expressed transfer interest, offering him £100 million and a salary nearing £700,000 per week.
While Fernandes did not name specific individuals, the report identified the involved United hierarchy as football director Jason Wilcox, CEO Omar Berrada, and football-policy head Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Fernandes commented on the changing nature of loyalty in football, stating that although he could have left in the last transfer window for higher earnings, he stayed due to family reasons and genuine affection for Manchester United, influenced by a conversation with the coach.
He suggested that the club would not have suffered serious harm if he had departed and implied that management would likely have allowed a move if he had insisted on leaving. Although he did not rule out a future move to Saudi Arabia, Fernandes emphasized that money is not his sole motivation and that such a move would be driven by lifestyle considerations and the opportunity to join a growing league with recognized players.
Manchester United, however, maintain that Fernandes is a fundamental part of their long-term plans and are not seeking to sell him. The Portuguese midfielder signed a new contract in August 2024, which runs through 2027, with an option for an additional year.
