Bruno Fernandes has lifted the lid on opportunities he had to depart Manchester United, disclosing that he turned down the chance to leave on multiple occasions over the past three years as he continues to chase silverware with the Red Devils.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder was candid about the decisions he faced. “I could have left Manchester United two years ago, or three years ago, I could’ve gone last season,” he said, without specifying which clubs expressed interest in his services.
Despite that outside interest, Fernandes made clear that his sense of belonging at Old Trafford has consistently outweighed any external pull. “I really like to be at the club and I really think that being successful at this club is something that I would NEVER get being in ANY other club,” the United captain said.
For Fernandes, the prospect of delivering success to United’s fanbase remains a singular motivating force. “The joy and everything I will get the day I get what I want from Man United, I wouldn’t get that in ANY other club in the WORLD. I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are,” he added.
The comments carry added weight given the backdrop of Fernandes’ current campaign, which has been among the most productive of his Old Trafford career in terms of creative output. The Portuguese international is closing in on the Premier League single-season assist record after registering 19 assists so far this season — a tally that places him in elite company in the league’s history books.
Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in January 2020 and has since become one of the club’s most influential figures, racking up over 100 goal contributions in the Premier League alone. He was appointed club captain and has consistently been one of United’s top performers even during periods of significant instability at the club.
According to reports, Fernandes has also been seeking clarity on the club’s long-term strategic direction as he weighs his future beyond his current contract. The midfielder’s desire for Premier League and Champions League success with United appears to remain the central factor in those deliberations.
United’s 2025-26 campaign has unfolded under continued scrutiny following a turbulent few years that included a managerial change and squad rebuilding under INEOS-led ownership. Whether Fernandes’ loyalty will ultimately be rewarded with the domestic and European honours he is targeting remains to be seen, but his public commitment to the project signals that he intends to be part of whatever comes next at Old Trafford.
