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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has lauded Bruno Fernandes after he turned down a big-money offer from Al-Hilal in favour of remaining at Old Trafford.
Ahead of the ongoing Club World Cup, Al-Hilal identified Fernandes as their top target and made a strong pitch to the player.
The Saudi Pro League club offered the United skipper an eye-watering £200million three-year contract. This would have seen Fernandes pocket around £700,000 per-week.
Al-Hilal were also prepared to submit a £100million bid in an effort to convince United to sanction Fernandes’ sale. United were believed to be open to the transfer, although they left the decision in Fernandes’ hands.
After careful deliberation, Fernandes ultimately decided to turn them down, insisting his priority is to stay at United and play at the top level.
Given the challenges of the 2024/25 season, where Fernandes stood out as one of the few bright spots, few would have blamed the Portuguese playmaker for accepting Al-Hilal’s eye-watering offer, especially with the twilight of his career approaching.
Speaking to The Mirror, Fernandes praised the midfielder’s remarkable show of loyalty, even admitting that in the same situation, he likely wouldn’t have made the same choice.
“The one thing it says to me, there’s a loyalty. And I think that word gets banded about quite a lot, but we don’t really see it often from the club’s point of view and the players.”
“And listen, I understand it’s a business. But I think he looks at this as pure, ‘I’ve got unfinished business at United. There’s stuff I want to do here. Yes, I’ve been paid well here. The fans love me.’ But I think he’s in the game of wanting to give back after all he’s received.”
“So I’ve got nothing but respect for him. I would have understood him leaving if he left, 100%.”
“But the fact that he stayed and said, listen, there’s stuff for me still to do here. I think it’s a testament to him as a person, but also another reason why the managers comfortably give him the armband.”
Ferdinand added, “If I was him, I think I’d have found it difficult to say no. I’ve got to be honest.”
Fernandes won United’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
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