Al Hilal offered the United captain a deal worth £200m over three years back in June but saw their ..Continue Reading
advances turned down.
‘There was an opportunity,’ confirmed Fernandes, who has been Man United’s most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
‘The [Al-Hilal] president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. They were waiting for me. I spoke to coach [Ruben] Amorim. He asked me not to go.
‘Manchester United didn’t want to sell me. They don’t need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen.’
Manchester United supporters were largely relieved to retain their star midfielder, although some felt it might’ve been smart to accept Al Hilal’s £100 million-plus offer.
Club icon Paul Scholes even believed it would’ve been sensible to sell Fernandes, considering the hefty transfer fee being discussed.
Several months after turning down Al Hilal’s bid, Fernandes has attracted renewed interest from another Saudi Pro League side—Al Nassr.
Portuguese sources reported that Al Nassr were hopeful of securing his signature, citing manager Jorge Jesus’ prior connection with Fernandes at Sporting, along with the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo at the club.
Despite the approach, the *Daily Mail* claims Fernandes remains committed to Manchester United and is unlikely to change his stance, with full focus now on the upcoming Premier League season.
Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also confirmed Fernandes is deeply invested in United’s current plans and aims to restore past glory at Old Trafford.
United are coming off a historically poor season, finishing 15th in the league and suffering defeat to Tottenham in an uninspiring Europa League final.
Fernandes—who has featured in 290 matches for the Red Devils—is presently in the United States with the squad, preparing for their pre-season clash against Everton on Sunday night.
Discussing his future at the club at the start of the pre-season tour, Fernandes said: ‘I will be here until the club tells me it is time to leave.
‘I am available to make the club have great days again. The day the club thinks I am too much, or it is time to leave, football is like that and you never know.
‘If the club thinks it is time to leave, because they want to make some money, that is what it is and football is like that sometimes.’
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