Bruno Fernandes, today named as Manchester United captain, has formally turned down a big-money deal from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr. Indeed, he is reasserting his loyalty to the Premier League titans. The 30-year-old playmaker has had an immediate impact since arriving at United from Sporting Lisbon back in January 2020—creating 98 goals and scoring 87 in 290 appearances. He further affirmed that his personal life and career goals played a major role in his decision-making.
Aside from taking pictures, Fernandes was enjoying a quiet early June – until he got a call from Al Hilal’s president. The short answer to the president’s question about whether such a transfer is possible. Fernandes was intrigued by Fleishman’s proposal. He has chosen not to relocate to Saudi Arabia just yet in his career. He highlighted that discussions with his wife and Manchester United’s boss, Ruben Amorim, were crucial in arriving at his decision.
Family and Professional Considerations
For Bruno Fernandes, such a huge decision to change careers boiled down to one thing—family. He noted that his wife asked him to reflect on his professional goals and what he truly wanted for his future.
“I had to make the decision as a family and understand what I wanted for my future. That was the question my wife asked, what my professional goals would be. At no point did she say yes or no, she always supported me and put my professional side first.” – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes recalled that on his behalf, he was able to talk with Ruben Amorim, who “really tried to talk me out of it. In both of these conversations, he was keenly aware of the need to remain competitive in the era of top-tier football.
Continued Commitment to Manchester United
Fernandes should be high on Manchester United’s management to-do list. Yet he has a secure contract that goes out to 2027, with an option to extend another year. The club was clearly sending a message. They pledged not to trade their captain unless he asked to be traded.
“I spoke to the club, who said they weren’t willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave,” Fernandes stated. This guarantee from the club kept the fire in his belly to extend his stay at Old Trafford. There, he was key to the team’s success.
Bruno Fernandes has looked sharp as a tack on Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the USA. His maiden double helped seal a pulsating 2-1 win against West Ham. This performance reflects his dedication to the team and his preparedness for the 2023 season ahead.
Future Aspirations
As he makes plans for the future, Fernandes is keeping his sights firmly set on playing at the highest level possible. He made clear his desire to compete at the highest levels of the sport and his love of the game.
“But I simply want to stay at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, because I still feel capable of that.” – Bruno Fernandes
He vividly illustrated the siren call of Al Nassr’s tent pole of money as “very ambitious.” He chose to stick with Manchester United, believing that serving out his contract is the best move for his career.
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