Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that his club failed in an attempt to sign Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in this summer’s transfer window.
Fernandes was heavily linked with a lucrative move to Al-Hilal earlier this summer, but the Portugal international made it clear that he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.
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Al-Nassr has also recently been linked with interest in Fernandes, where Cristiano Ronaldo – who both plays for and is now a part-owner of the Saudi Arabian club – is said to have contacted his national team teammate.
Jesus has now confirmed that he wanted to sign Fernandes, but the 30-year-old midfielder opted to stay at the 20-time English champions, who are just over a week away from starting their new Premier League season.
“I wanted to [sign him], but Bruno is determined to stay,” Jesus told Sport Informa. “We already talked last year. This year, I knew he had made the decision to continue with [Ruben] Amorim. He plays in a league that they say is the best in the world, but I don’t agree. For me, it’s the Spanish league.”
Fernandes’ decision
Fernandes informed Manchester United that he was willing to leave the club this summer if they wanted to sell him, but Red Devils coach Amorim fought to keep his captain.
The Portuguese has been one of United’s best signings ever, with 98 goals and 86 assists in 290 appearances for the club since joining from Sporting Lisbon.
Last season, he scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 games, and he will lead the team in the Premier League opener against Arsenal next Sunday.
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Fernandes has a contract with United until June 2027, with the option of a further one-year extension, and a new deal cannot be ruled out at this time.
“Manchester United said they didn’t want to sell me,” Fernandes said in June. “They said if I wanted to go, I could do it, but they didn’t need the money. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim, who during the whole period pushed for me not to go. I want to play at the highest possible level. I want to play in big tournaments. I know I can still do it, and I want to be happy while doing what I love most. For better or worse, that’s how I look at football, and I’m passionate about football – and this is the decision I’ve made.”
What role will Fernandes have this season?
There has been a lot of talk about Fernandes’ position at United, as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been brought in to play in the ‘number 10’ role for the 2025/26 season.
Mason Mount and Amad Diallo are also options in that position, so there is a high probability that Fernandes will be used deeper in midfield this season.
However, United are on the hunt for another midfielder this summer, while Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro are also options. It will be exciting to see what Amorim has planned for the upcoming season.
