Bruno Fernandes has dropped the clearest hint yet that he will be staying at Manchester United. The 31-year-old captain was offered a lucrative three-year contract by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer, with the club willing to hand him a package totalling £200 million.
However, Fernandes snubbed the proposal and has enjoyed arguably his best season since moving to Old Trafford in 2020. Despite his commitment, his future has been the subject of speculation again ahead of this year's summer transfer window. His contract, which runs until the end of next season, includes a £57 million release clause.
In an interview with Gary Neville for Sky Sports, Fernandes made it clear that 'no club in the world' can match his affinity with United. "It's not a question of loyalty," he explained. "I could have gone two years ago, I could have gone three years ago, I could have gone last season, but I really like to be here."
Fernandes added: "I think that being successful at this club is something that I can never get at another club. The joy and everything I get, the day I get what I want from this club, I don't think I will get that from any other club in the world."
Since signing from Sporting Lisbon in a £47 million deal, Fernandes has won two domestic cups. But the Portugal international will not be satisfied until United reclaim the Premier League title. "I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are," he continued. "I know how much they are waiting for the club to come back again. I'm on the same ship as them. I want this ship; instead of being steady, I want it to go forward and to navigate as much as we can."
Reflecting on his cup wins, Fernandes said: "Yeah, I won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup [but] what this club wants, what these fans want and what I want, myself and the team, we haven't got that yet. Until my contract expires, I'm going to try."
He also explained why he rejected Al-Hilal's offer, which would have seen United bank a £100 million fee. "The club was in a tough moment because we just lost a European final, we finished the lowest in the Premier League United has ever done," he said. "Six years ago, the club trusted me to come here and believed I could help the club. At the time, my decision was made by [the fact that] I haven't fulfilled my dreams here."
Fernandes has only played three Champions League campaigns with United, but the Red Devils will seal qualification to Europe's elite competition if they avoid defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday. That could also be the key to interim manager Michael Carrick getting the job on a permanent basis.
