Bruno Fernandes Denies Exit Rumours, Reaffirms Commitment to Manchester United

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has poured cold water on swirling rumours about his potential departure from Old Trafford, insisting that he remains fully committed to the club and has not entered into any agreement to leave. The Portuguese midfielder made it clear that discussions about his future will only take place after next year’s World Cup, dismissing claims of a pre-arranged exit deal.

The 31-year-old, who will make his 300th appearance for Manchester United on Saturday as they seek to bounce back from a string of home defeats, expressed pride in his journey with the Red Devils. Since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47 million, Fernandes has missed just 17 games, a record that underscores his durability and consistency. Only three of those absences were due to injury or illness, a testament to his remarkable fitness and discipline.

“I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still,” Fernandes told reporters. “I can’t talk for the club. I’ve seen a lot of people saying I already had an agreement to go next season. If the club has made any agreement, it wasn’t with me. I haven’t spoken with anyone.”

Despite strong interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and other major European sides, Fernandes has shown no desire to leave England. He reportedly rejected a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League during the summer and remains focused on finishing unfinished business with Manchester United.

The midfielder’s current contract, which runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year, reportedly includes a clause that would allow him to move abroad for around £56.6 million (€65 million), but he insists he has no plans to activate it. “My agent knows how I work,” he said. “If he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”

Sources close to Fernandes have confirmed that the playmaker turned down not only Saudi interest but also inquiries from several Champions League clubs. While some European giants outside the Premier League remain interested, Fernandes’ loyalty to Manchester United appears unwavering.

During Manchester United’s post-season tour of Asia, when Al-Hilal’s interest first became public, Fernandes held discussions with senior club officials including CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox. He also consulted his national teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia, and his family. Ultimately, his decision to stay was influenced not by finances but by football and family.

“My family feels very well here,” Fernandes said. “My kids love their school. They love the way we live here, even with the weather. Everyone is settled. My wife told me, ‘Have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve at the club?’ She knows I haven’t.”

Fernandes admitted that his sense of unfinished business drives his determination to succeed. “When I talk about not fulfilling my dreams at the club, it comes a lot from what she said to me,” he explained. “I want to win trophies. I want to give this club the success it deserves.”

Despite personal accolades and impressive statistics, Fernandes remains critical of his tenure, believing team success must come before individual recognition. “I haven’t been able to give the success this club wants and the success I wanted in my head when I signed,” he said. “My individual performance will put me in some place, but not the place I want to be. I want to win trophies and be recognised for what I did for the club, not just my numbers.”

His work ethic and leadership have continued to earn him admiration from fans and teammates alike. Just a day after United’s hard-fought victory over Liverpool at Anfield, Fernandes was spotted back at the Carrington training ground in heavy rain, watching teammates train and encouraging them. Those close to him say this attitude epitomises his commitment to the club “body and soul.”

Fernandes also used the opportunity to address Manchester United’s recruitment strategy. He stressed that the club must focus on signing players with mental strength and character, not just technical ability. “At this club, we need to sign big characters,” he stated. “Being a good player is not enough because of the pressure and attention we get. We brought in players this summer who understand what it means to play for Manchester United.”

He praised newcomers like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, describing their confidence and ambition as vital traits. “Cunha has that arrogance to say, ‘Give me the ball, I want to play, I want to make things happen,’” he said. “Bryan too, sometimes I tell him in training, ‘You don’t need that extra touch; shoot like you did against us when you were at Brentford!’”

On the growing competition with emerging talent like England international Kobbie Mainoo, Fernandes dismissed the idea of rivalry, instead seeing it as motivation. “I want the best competition to play in my position,” he said. “Kobbie is not competition; he’s very capable of doing what I can do in a different way. He makes me a better player.”

As United continue to rebuild under their new management structure, Fernandes’ leadership and determination remain vital. His insistence on accountability, unity, and high standards has set the tone for the dressing room, even amid turbulent seasons.

Fernandes’ message is clear; his heart is still firmly at Old Trafford. As he approaches his 300th appearance, the captain stands as both a symbol of consistency and a reminder that loyalty in modern football is not entirely extinct.

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