Football May 09, 2026

Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United captain opens up on turning down summer transfer in favour of Old Trafford stay

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United captain opens up on turning down summer transfer in favour of Old Trafford stay

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on his decision to remain at Old Trafford last summer, saying he doesn't think he could replicate the feeling of being successful at "any other club in the world."

The 31-year-old turned down a move to Saudi Arabia last summer in favour of remaining at United. In December, Fernandes admitted he could have left, but Your Site News reported that there was no desire from United to sell and he remains part of the club's long-term plans.

In an exclusive sit-down with United legend and Your Site pundit Gary Neville, the Portuguese midfielder explained why success at United would mean more than elsewhere.

"It's not a question of loyalty," Fernandes said.

"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.

"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.

"I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are. 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.

"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."

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, a record low for the club before losing the Europa League final, ensuring a season without European football at Old Trafford. However, despite the difficulties, Fernandes added that his decision to stay was based on the unfinished business he had at the club.

"The club was in a tough moment because we just lost a European final, [and] we finished the lowest in the Premier League United has ever done," Fernandes told Neville.

"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.

"I haven't achieved everything I wanted. I've never hidden that I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League with the club. I might do it, I might not. But until I get the chance or until I'm here to do that, I'm going to try.

"Is it going to be difficult? Yes. You have top clubs in the league that have been winning the league for so many years and being consistently there and we're not."

Watch Man Utd vs Liverpool on Your Site Premier League from 2.30pm on Sunday; kick-off 3.30pm.

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