Amorim gives verdict on Bruno Fernandes future after he is offered £65m a season

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reaffirmed his determination to retain captain Bruno Fernandes, despite a blockbuster offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

The 30-year-old Portuguese playmaker, whose contract runs until 2027 with an optional 12-month extension, is the subject of intense interest from the Riyadh-based club, which is reportedly prepared to offer a staggering £65 million annual salary to lure him to the Middle East before the Club World Cup in June 2025.

With United facing financial constraints and a critical Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, Amorim’s resolve to keep Fernandes underscores the midfielder’s pivotal role in the club’s rebuilding efforts.

Fernandes has been United’s linchpin since joining from Sporting CP for £47 million in January 2020, amassing 19 goals and 18 assists across all competitions this season.

His 11 direct goal involvements in the Europa League, including a standout performance in United’s 3-0 first-leg win over Athletic Bilbao, have positioned them on the brink of a final against either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt.

Amorim, speaking ahead of Thursday’s second leg at Old Trafford, emphasized Fernandes’ importance beyond his numbers. “Our idea didn’t change,” he said. “We want to keep the best players—and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world.

"We want Bruno here. It’s easy to understand—not just because of the numbers but the way he plays and the importance he has during his five years here. He’s a leader, he’s the captain, so he’s really important.”

Al-Hilal’s interest, first reported by Arriyadiyah, stems from their ambition to secure a marquee signing after Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah opted to stay at Anfield.

Flush with a £500 million transfer budget, the Saudi club has held talks with Fernandes’ representatives, with a recent meeting on May 5, 2025, but no formal response has been made.

The proposed three-year deal, dwarfing Fernandes’ current £300,000-a-week wages, would make him one of the highest-paid athletes globally, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s £62 million-a-year contract with Al-Nassr.

Despite the financial allure, United’s leadership, including sporting director Dan Ashworth and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are adamant Fernandes is not for sale, dismissing rumors of a £60 million buyout clause.

United’s financial situation adds complexity to the saga. The club’s £600 million spending since 2022 has pushed them close to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) limits, forcing Amorim to consider player sales to fund a summer squad overhaul.

Potential departures include Alejandro Garnacho, linked with Chelsea for £65 million, and Rasmus Hojlund, rumored to interest Juventus. However, Fernandes, alongside Harry Maguire, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu, is considered untouchable, with Amorim stating, “We need top players.”

Failure to win the Europa League—and secure Champions League qualification—would exacerbate United’s financial strain, potentially necessitating sales, but losing Fernandes mid-rebuild would be catastrophic.

United’s season has been a rollercoaster, with their 13th-place Premier League standing and 16th league loss—a 4-3 defeat to Brentford—marking their worst campaign in 35 years. Amorim’s frustration boiled over after a 3-1 home loss to Brighton in January, when he labeled United “maybe the worst” team in the club’s 137-year history.

Reflecting on those comments, he clarified, “You have to see the quote in the moment. If you look at the Premier League, we are the worst team in terms of results.

"At the end of the season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title. I still feel this season was the worst, maybe not in history but in the last 50 years.”

Posts on X echo this sentiment, with fans lamenting United’s “shambolic” league form but praising Fernandes as the “only consistent performer.”

The Europa League offers a lifeline. United’s 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao, who are without key attackers Inaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Oihan Sancet for the second leg, makes progression almost certain—historically, all 133 teams winning a European away leg by three or more goals have advanced.

Yet, Amorim remains cautious, citing United’s history of squandering leads. Last season, they nearly collapsed from 3-0 up against Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final, surviving via a controversial VAR call and penalties. Three weeks ago, they led Lyon 2-0 before trailing 4-2 in extra time, only to claw back a draw.

“If you look at our season, anything is possible,” Amorim said. “We cannot say today what is going to happen. Sometimes during the game we are one team, then something happens and we lose our mind a little bit. I feel we need to score to go to the next round. We will have to suffer.”

Fernandes’ leadership will be crucial in navigating these challenges. His ability to dictate play, exemplified by his 37 goal involvements this season, has been a rare bright spot in a squad plagued by inconsistency and injuries to players like Mason Mount and Luke Shaw, reported the BBC.

Posts on X describe him as United’s “engine,” with one fan stating, “Bruno’s carrying us through this mess. Losing him would be the end.” Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, while criticized by Wayne Rooney for not suiting United’s squad, has relied heavily on Fernandes’ versatility as a No. 10 or deeper midfielder. His influence extends off the pitch, with teammates like Garnacho citing his mentorship as key to their development.

Al-Hilal’s pursuit is not without precedent. In 2024, Fernandes rejected “astronomical” Saudi offers, believing he had “unfinished business” in Europe.

His 2024 contract extension, signed after assurances from then-manager Erik ten Hag, reflected his commitment to United’s rebuild. X posts from April 2025 speculated on a €120 million bid with €800,000 weekly wages, but Fernandes’ focus remained on United’s Europa League campaign. His loyalty, coupled with United’s firmsome text