Bruno Fernandes has made a striking admission about his future at Manchester United, revealing that the club were open to his departure last summer, a situation that has clearly left an emotional mark on the captain. The Portuguese midfielder has been one of United’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, yet his comments suggest a disconnect between his commitment and how valued he felt by the club hierarchy.
The revelation comes at a difficult time for Manchester United, who continue to struggle for stability under Ruben Amorim. Performances have been inconsistent, results have dipped, and the club remains far from the standards associated with its past success, fueling frustration among players and supporters alike.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle , Fernandes spoke to Canal11 saying:
Man United wanted me to LEAVE last summer, I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the COURAGE to make that decision. I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, if you leave, it’s not so bad for us. It hurts me a lot. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player, they have nothing to criticise about. I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad.
Softfootball previously reported that Fernandes had attracted serious interest from Saudi clubs during the summer window, but the midfielder chose to remain at Manchester United for at least another year, reaffirming his loyalty despite the uncertainty around the club’s direction.
On the pitch, Fernandes continues to lead by example. He was on the scoresheet yesterday in Manchester United’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Bournemouth a chaotic game that saw United surrender the lead twice, fight back from a losing position, and once again highlight both their attacking quality and defensive fragility.
As United’s difficult season drags on, Fernandes’ comments underline a deeper issue at the club: a lack of clarity, direction, and alignment between leadership and players who are still willing to give everything for the badge.
