Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is confident captain Bruno Fernandes will remain at the club, even as he continues to be strongly linked with a summer exit.
Fernandes’ future has been the subject of intense speculation amidst strong interest from Saudi Arabia Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal are believed to have presented the Portuguese playmaker with an eye-watering financial package to convince him to ditch Old Trafford and join their ranks. It’s understood they are also prepared to offer United a sum of around £100m to sanction Fernandes’ sale.
Fernandes has a short window to make his decision, with Al-Hilal eager to have a marquee player in place for the upcoming Club World Cup competition.
After United’s 3-1 post-season victory over Hong Kong, Amorim was inevitably asked about Fernandes and he was positive that the 30-year-old will stay.
Asked whether the match vs. Hong Kong was Fernandes’ last for United, Amorim answered, “I don’t think so. I don’t know for sure. Nobody knows but I don’t think so. He’s seen us taking some actions to change all the things. I think that is all he asks.”
“I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things but he chose that he wants to win. I think he’s really good and he needs to be on the best league in the world.”
On whether the Red Devils could afford to turn down a big-money offer for their skipper, Amorim told the media, “Yes, we can find another way to win money.”
Amorim continued, “Of course, I’m the manager, I’m the coach. Sometimes, it’s the decision of the player. Of course, I talk with him. I explain things and I just have that feeling, when you talk to someone, you have the feeling if they want to stay.”
“Sometimes, after lots of games this season, he was so frustrated but he knows what we are doing. The feeling I have, every time I speak to him, is he wants to continue with Manchester United, for sure. But you never know.”
On United’s transfer plans, Amorim explained, “I can do the work without being at Carrington. I will stay in Manchester for a while, even for the kids to be there in the schools so they don’t forget their English.”
“I will be near in this moment because I want to and I cannot disconnect now. I will have to deal with some things and then rest a little bit. It’s hard to disconnect but I will rest for a while.”
“Yes, I have a clear idea and we have a clear idea of what we want, of course. You know we are a little bit limited and can’t do everything in one summer. But we have a clear picture of what we want. We are working on that for a while so let’s wait and see. Of course, we have a clear picture of what we want for next season.”
Amorim stressed that the players should return from their break in top physical condition and ready for pre-season.
“I was a football player and, when you are a football player, you can disconnect. They know we underperformed badly this season.”
“The important thing for me is the body composition, the weight. They need to be ready. We have to use every minute in every week of pre-season. We need to be in shape and these small things, they have all the measures, we had a briefing about that.”
“It’s the only way to take action to be better next season. They know and everybody knows next year is going to be massive for everybody.”
Amorim added, “I have been sending the message every week. They know next year, and I think that is clear, that we need to be so much better.”
The United head coach expressed that he and his players would gladly welcome a return to Hong Kong, following an enjoyable trip and the chance to connect with a passionate segment of the club’s fanbase.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
