Manchester United officials have firmly hit back at speculation that the club were open to selling Bruno Fernandes last summer, insisting the Portuguese playmaker always remains central to their long-term vision.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Old Trafford bosses are understood to be united in their desire to keep the club captain and build the team around him, despite well-documented interest from leading players in the Saudi Professional League.
Saudi Arabia’s interest in Fernandes increased in the last transfer window, with Al Hilal, Al Nasr and Al Ittihad all exploring the possibility of a big move.
The financial package on offer was significant and from the outside looking in, United appeared tempted to sign a player approaching his 30s.
Manchester United had no intention of letting Bruno Fernandes go
However, club officials insist there was never a genuine desire to sell.
As it stands, United’s leadership still has no desire to part ways with Fernandes, who remains a key part of the club’s sporting project and INEOS-led football structure under manager Ruben Amorim.
Inside the company, Fernandes is seen not only as a creative leader on the pitch, but also as a standard setter in training and a key figure in maintaining the culture in the dressing room during a period of transition.
The situation has been further complicated by Fernandes’ own recent comments suggesting the club may be open to his departure.
These comments caused debate among supporters and pundits, but they sit alongside previous statements by the midfielder that paint a completely different picture.
In October, Fernandez spoke clearly about a conversation they had backstage.
“The manager spoke to me.” Fernandez said at the time: “He said I was still part of the project. He wanted me to stay. The club said the same. I felt I was still part of the plan.”
There was interest in Fernandes from Saudi Arabia.
That message echoes what United officials are now repeating. Although interest from Saudi Arabia remains active and is expected to resurface in future periods, Fernandes himself ultimately decided that a move for last summer was not the right step.
Family considerations will play a big role as well as his determination to remain in European football for the 2026 World Cup, where he hopes to play a key role for Portugal.
Fernandes is understood to have communicated his decision directly to the Saudi clubs involved, making it clear that while he was pleased with the interest, his priority was to continue at Europe’s highest level.
United have welcomed that attitude and continue to see him as a key part of their plans on and off the pitch.
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