The future of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been plunged into fresh uncertainty following the club's decision to sack manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese midfielder's strong bond with his compatriot was a key factor in him rejecting a world-record move to Saudi Arabia last summer, and his departure could now prompt a major reassessment.
Amorim's Crucial Role in Blocking £100m Exit
In the summer of 2025, Bruno Fernandes received a staggering offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. The Middle Eastern club were prepared to pay Manchester United a fee of £100 million and offered the player a personal contract worth an astonishing £200 million.
Fernandes, now 31, was in serious talks about leaving Old Trafford. However, after what he described as "numerous conversations" with then-manager Ruben Amorim, he decided to stay. The player revealed in June that Amorim was "very annoying" in persuading him not to depart, with the club's stance being they would only sell if the captain explicitly wanted to leave.
A Fractured Relationship with the Club Emerges
Further revelations last month exposed a sense of hurt felt by Fernandes. He claimed that during the summer negotiations, he felt the club's attitude was that his exit "would not be so bad for us." This perception has created a rift.
"It hurts me a bit. More than hurting me, it makes me sad," Fernandes stated in an interview with Canal 11. "I'm a player that no one can criticise, I'm always available, I always give my best." He emphasised that he stayed for love of the club and family reasons, despite the lucrative offer from Al-Hilal.
He added a damning insight into the club's hierarchy, saying: "The club wanted me to leave... I think they didn't have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me."
What Happens Next for the United Captain?
With Amorim's protective influence now removed following his dismissal on Monday, the path for a potential Fernandes exit appears clearer. The midfielder was spotted on Tuesday leaving a coffee shop in Cheshire with Carlos Fernandes, Amorim's assistant who was also sacked, highlighting the close-knit Portuguese circle now departed from the club.
While Al-Hilal could test United's resolve in the January 2026 transfer window, a summer move seems more probable. Fernandes himself hinted at future uncertainty in October, denying any pre-existing agreement for a transfer but refusing to rule anything out beyond the upcoming World Cup.
The situation presents an immediate challenge for likely interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the man who originally signed Fernandes for £67.7 million in January 2020. Solskjaer is expected to fight for the job permanently and will be desperate to retain his former star player, but the power dynamics at Old Trafford have shifted significantly with Amorim's exit.
