Bruno Fernandes: Man Utd captain says he turned down an offer to leave club
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said he could have left the club last summer.
The 30-year-old was a Manchester United hero on Thursday night, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals with Lyon to win a hat-trick.
He was also picked out Praise from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe In an interview with BBC Sport on Monday.
But Fernandez said there was a proposal to sign him in the summer and he held talks with the club about his future.
“I sat with the club because I had a proposal to leave,” he said. “We talked about the possibility of leaving the club or staying.
“They said what they wanted. I just asked if they still see me as part of the club’s future. I also spoke to (Erik) ten people at the time.
“He knew me well, the club knew me well, and they thought I was going to be a big part of this reconstruction. I think we could succeed.”
The Portugal international now has 15 goals this season. None of his teammates reached double digits.
In a bad enough Manchester United sport, which is 14th in the Premier League, on the verge of the worst domestic campaign since the relegation season of 1973-74, it is not hard to imagine a clash they would have negotiated with Fernandes in the summer, a different interest from Bayern Munich.
After being fired in October, Fernandez’s compatriot Ruben Amorim came in as a replacement – but the bleak situation was not better.
Last month, legendary former captain Roy Keane blew up Fernandes, saying “the talent is not enough” and that he is not a “fighter”.
After Fernandes’ Europa League interest, even Amorim, his captain needs “Believe” his teammates more.
“Roy Keane is the excellent captain of the club, and it’s one of the best captains everyone calls it,” Fernandez said.
“It’s only the last few years that I haven’t had the chance to see much from him, but he’s a great player who won everything in the club. He is highly respected by everyone and has received all my respect.
“He has to give his opinion in the plan, and that’s what he thinks of me.
“I don’t want to copy anyone. I’m trying to be the best captain I can do for my teammates and help everyone in the best way I know.”
