Fernandes says Man Utd wanted to sell him
Bruno Fernandes revealed Manchester United "wanted me to leave" in the last transfer window when Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal attempted to sign him.
Fernandes was reportedly the subject of a big-money bid from Al-Hilal, which was prepared to pay around £100m for the United captain, but he rejected the move.
The 31 year-old's United contract runs through to 2027, with the option for a further year, and he said in October that he will not be discussing his future until after the 2026 World Cup.
Fernandes joined United in January 2020 and has since made 307 appearances in all competitions, scoring 103 goals and registering 90 assists.
While he opted to stay at Old Trafford after talks with Ruben Amorim, Fernandes admitted it felt like the club was keen to let him leave.
"I could have left in this transfer window; I would have earned much more money," Fernandes said. "I was going to leave a season ago. I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.
"From the club, I felt it was, 'If you go, it's not so bad for us'. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I'm a player that no one can criticise, I'm always available, I always give my best...
"I don't see it as a matter of money. Financially, I can't complain, although the difference with Saudi Arabia is massive.
"If I ever go to play in Saudi Arabia, I will, it won't be for the money, I'll go because the lifestyle will change, my children's lives will be sunny, after six years of cold and rain in Manchester, because I'll be playing in a league that's growing.
"The passion and empathy for the club were the same, but it reaches a point where money is more important to them than you. The club wanted me to leave. I told the directors that I think they didn't have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me.
"But if I said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me."
Only Erling Haaland (20) has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than Fernandes (12 – five goals, seven assists).
Against Bournemouth, he set up Casemiro's first-half goal before scoring a stunning free-kick in the second. He has now both scored and assisted in successive games in the competition for the first time since December 2020.
