Man Utd players ‘concerned’ about Bruno Fernandes as transfer plan emerges | Football | Sport

The future of Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United remains under intense scrutiny, with reports suggesting his team-mates are “concerned he may leave” when the campaign concludes. According to The Sun, colleagues at Old Trafford worry that United’s skipper and chief creator has become weary of the “shambles” engulfing the club.

The report indicates Fernandes might seek pastures new following this summer’s World Cup. Last summer, the midfielder was linked with a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, with a reported £100million price tag attached. Despite the opportunity to triple his salary, he opted to stay.

A source told The Sun: “Some of the squad think Bruno has had enough and, to be honest, they don’t blame him. He always gives 100 per cent and has been the club’s best player since he joined.”

The source further suggests the Portugal captain feels let down by United’s new ownership arrangements, while Ruben Amorim‘s sacking this week has done little to lift spirits.

Last month, Fernandes claimed club bosses were keen to offload him but lacked the courage to defy Amorim.

The midfielder, whose Old Trafford deal runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year, spoke about a potential summer exit in an interview with Canal.

“I decided not to go [to Saudi Arabia], not only for family reasons but because I genuinely liked the club,” he said.

“From the club I felt: ‘If you go, it’s not that bad for us’. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad, I’m a player who has nothing to point to. I’m always available, I always give the best of me.”

He continued: “The club wanted me to go [away]. I told the directors that, I don’t think they had the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted me. But if I said I wanted to leave, even though the coach wanted me to stay, the club would let me.”

Back in October, Fernandes disclosed to journalists that he’d held discussions with United’s senior hierarchy regarding his future.

He stated: “I had conversations with Al-Hilal, everyone is aware of that – from Europe I had some people talking to me but we never got into the place where we would have offers on the table or not.

“I spoke with both [director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada]. I think we were in Malaysia, that was when everything started.

“I told Omar: ‘Look, this is what is on the table, I know the club might be looking at this in a way and I will be looking at it differently – so I just want to know your perspective’.

“Jason, like Omar, said: ‘We won’t say no but we want you to stay at the club. If you want to go, we won’t say that it’s not the offer for us because obviously it’s massive money’.

“I spoke with the manager and he said to me: ‘No, we want more players to help you to become a better team so we don’t want you to go – if we bring some people and then we lose you – we’re still going to lose together’.”