BRUNO FERNANDES has revealed the main reason he stayed at Manchester United after admitting he had an offer to leave.
Club captain Fernandes, who netted a hat-trick in midweek against Real Sociedad in a 4-1 win, signed a contract extension with the Red Devils last summer to 2027.
Bruno Fernandes has revealed the reason he stayed at Man Utd after rejecting an offer to leave[/caption]
Fernandes revealed he ultimately believed the club could be successful[/caption]
Fernandes has won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Red Devils so far[/caption]
The midfielder recently revealed he had an offer on the table to leave Old Trafford if he wanted.
But Fernandes said he chose to stay because he believes the club can be successful.
He said: “I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave and we talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying.
“They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they saw me as part of the future of the club or not.
“I spoke at the time with (Erik) Ten Hag also. He was very clear and the club were very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild.
“I heard what they had to tell me. I thought that we could be successful.”
Fernandes’ recent heroics saw manager Ruben Amorim declare him a “perfect captain” and insist: “we need to help him win titles because he deserves this.”
However, the 30-year-old dismissed the idea, saying he only deserved the same as what his team-mates get.
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He said: “No, I deserve the same as my team-mates. I’m in the same boat as them. If I haven’t given everything to the club yet, or more to the club – it’s because I don’t deserve it and that’s it.
“It doesn’t matter how much you do – how much you score, how much you assist – that doesn’t change anything. It’s about the team, it’s about the club to succeed.
“Obviously, I want to win trophies. I’m not stupid. I want to be in the biggest competitions, I want to fight for the big trophies.
“That’s what I said to the club. That’s what the club said to me that they want to do.
“Then it’s about the players going on the pitch and the club to do the investments to bring players, take players or whatever they want to do.
“It’s not my part to say who’s good to come – that has to be the manager and the board. They have to decide. I just want to do everything I can to help the club succeed.”
Fernandes was the only player to emerge with a glowing review from club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe following a series of interviews on Monday, in which he labelled some of the squad “overpaid” and “not good enough”.
Man Utd are desperately struggling in the Premier League this season, sitting in 14th place and 13 points off the top five – the likely Champions League spots for next season.
The lack of European football and the revenue it provides next season could be a huge blow to Man Utd’s financial goals to balance the books – which are in a bad state after seven years of making a loss.
Fernandes has netted 15 goals and added 13 assists so far this season, while only the injured Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho have hit double figures for goal contributions so far this season.
So far Fernandes has the FA Cup and League Cup to his trophy accolades in a Man Utd shirt.
But his performances will prove vital in whether Man Utd can pick up silverware in the Europa League, which is the last trophy the club can win this season.
They face Lyon in the quarter-finals, but before that they take on Leicester in the Premier League tomorrow evening after the Carabao Cup final.
Man Utd player ratings
CAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare to beat Real Sociedad and advance in the Europa League.
He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against the Spaniards.
Joshua Zirkzee was another who impressed as Manchester United secured a tie against Lyon in the quarter-finals.
But it wasn’t all positive.
Rasmus Hojlund drew a blank yet again. That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.
Check out our full Man Utd player ratings.
