Bruno Fernandes declined a lucrative offer to join the Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal after Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, urged him to stay at Old Trafford.

The United captain was evaluating a highly appealing move to the Middle East following productive discussions between his agent, Miguel Pinho, and club officials in Riyadh last week.

Despite the potential of a deal that could have significantly increased his current salary of around £300,000 per week, Fernandes chose to reject the proposition. He believes he can contribute substantially in top-tier European football, and Amorim expressed his desire for the Portuguese star to remain at the club.

“There was a chance with Al-Hilal. The president contacted me to ask if I was interested. They were awaiting my response. I also spoke with coach Ruben Amorim, who requested that I stay,” said Fernandes, 30, during a press conference while on international duty with Portugal. “Manchester United did not wish to sell me, and they are not in need of the funds. However, had I wanted to leave, they would have facilitated it.”

Fernandes conveyed that he had consulted with his family regarding the proposal, which he described as an “easy move,” especially considering that his national teammate, João Cancelo, is already part of the club. Nonetheless, he concluded that he prefers to compete at the highest level and participate in significant competitions.

The club captain reiterated that he would have accepted an exit if United had intended to sell him, but all signs indicated that Amorim and his staff were keen on keeping him.

United had no intention of offloading their standout player, although they might have considered a £100 million offer from Al-Hilal had Fernandes expressed a desire to depart.

Since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has made a considerable impact, amassing 98 goals and 87 assists across 290 matches in all competitions.

Al-Hilal aimed for a decision from Fernandes over the weekend as they sought to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup.

Manchester United has already finalized the acquisition of Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million after an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to activate his release clause. Amorim is believed to have a budget of approximately £100 million this summer, which may be augmented by potential sales of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Antony, all of whom are considered surplus at Old Trafford. Additionally, the future of Alejandro Garnacho remains uncertain.