Bruno Fernandes Drops Big Next Club Hint as Man United Captain Discusses Options

Bruno Fernandes has openly discussed where he would like to play next should his time at Manchester United come to an end, with the club captain naming Spain, Italy and Portugal as the leagues he is most keen to experience.

Fernandes’ comments, made in a wide-ranging interview with Portuguese broadcaster Canal 11, come amid continued uncertainty around his long-term future at Old Trafford following strong interest from Saudi Arabia during the summer.

Although the 31-year-old ultimately chose to stay, his remarks suggest he is already thinking carefully about what could come next.

Bruno Fernandes reveals preferred destinations after Man United

Speaking candidly about his ambitions beyond Man United, Fernandes confirmed that his focus remains firmly on European football, identifying three leagues he would most like to play in.

“I would like to experience the Spanish league and fight for big titles in Italy,” Fernandes said. “I have many connections to Italy… my daughter was born there.

“I’ve already thought about returning to Portugal… the first option would be Sporting. To be happy, like it was with Sporting. But I don’t want to ruin the image that was left.

“But I don’t want to drag myself there, I want to add to it. And even try district football, at an advanced age. You play in the district for love, you feel different. I have friends in the district.”

Fernandes has never played in Spain but has long been linked with Real Madrid, while Italy holds clear personal significance after spells with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria earlier in his career.

Bruno Fernandes claims Man United pushed him towards Saudi move

The Portugal international also revealed that he came close to leaving Old Trafford in the summer, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal prepared to offer a fee of around £100 million and wages of up to £700,000 per week.

Fernandes admitted the situation left him deeply uncomfortable.

“From the club I felt it was, ‘If you go it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit,” he said.

“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 could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money. 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.”

Fernandes suggested that United chiefs were willing to cash in on the Saudi interest, but manager Ruben Amorim made it clear that he wanted to keep his fellow Portuguese.

“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head,” Fernandes added. “I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me.

“If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go.”

Bruno Fernandes: “I want to stay at Manchester United as long as I feel desired”

While Fernandes’ comments may unsettle some supporters, he was clear that his priority remains Manchester United — as long as he feels valued.

“I want to stay at Manchester United as long as I feel desired,” he declared.

The midfielder, who joined United from Sporting in January 2020, has become a central figure at the club, making 307 appearances and scoring 103 goals.

Many supporters feel that Fernandes is on course to be a Man United legend, having also recently climbed above Paul Scholes into fourth place on the club’s all-time list of Premier League assist-makers.

Despite United’s apparent willingness to sell Fernandes last summer, he remains the team’s most important player, having played more Premier League minutes than any of his team-mates this season.

His contract is not due to expire until 2027, while that deal includes the option to extend by a further year.

Bruno Fernandes will play in Saudi Arabia ‘if he has to’

Although Europe remains Fernandes’ clear preference, he did not completely close the door on a future move to the Middle East, where Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is currently leading an Al-Nassr side hoping to break the Saudi Pro League points record following a perfect start to the season.

“If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I’ll be playing in a growing league, with renowned players.

“I could have left like many people do and said: ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for 20 or 30 million, so they pay me more on the other side.’ But I never did that.”