Bruno Fernandes has given an astonishing interview, with the Manchester United star suggesting the club's board wanted to sell him back in the summer transfer window when Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal were showing interest.
The 31-year-old continues to lead by example at Old Trafford and, on Monday, netted a sensational free-kick in their 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Had the United board apparently got their way, however, Fernandes' moments of magic would have been a thing of the past.
Al-Hilal were ready to break the bank for the Portugal international, with the Saudi Pro League side prepared to offer him dizzying wages - as well as paying United a huge transfer fee in the region of £100million.
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In the end, however, the deal collapsed with Fernandes making it clear he wanted to stay. Manager Ruben Amorim felt the same, with the 40-year-old always determined to keep hold of his star asset.
Now, though, Fernandes has suggested that the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other United supremos would have preferred for him to leave.
Speaking to Canal 11, the Red Devils star said: “From the club’s side, it felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit.
Bruno Fernandes has given an astonishing interview, with the Manchester United star suggesting the club's board wanted to sell him back in the summer transfer window when Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal were showing interest
|GETTY
“More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticise. I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all.
“But it gets to a point where, for them, money is more important than anything.
“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go.”
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Bruno Fernandes scored in Manchester United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth
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Fernandes continues to shine for United.
His goal against Bournemouth means he's clocked up 11 goal involvements from 16 Premier League matches, despite playing deep in midfield.
But Fernandes has admittted he still doesn't feel like he's safe from being sold, despite being the club's best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
"Lately I feel like I’m on thin ice. In England, when a player starts approaching 30, they start thinking they need a makeover. It’s like the furniture," he said.
“The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be.
“I could have left in the last transfer window. I would have earned much more money.
Bruno Fernandes is a dressing room leader for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim | GETTY"I was going to leave a season ago – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season.
“I decided to stay because of family reasons, but also because I genuinely love the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay.”
A move to Saudi remains possible one day, however. And Fernandes has hinted it's something that remains on the table as he starts to approach the twilight years of his career.
“If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia," he said.
“My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny after six years in Manchester with cold and rain.
"I’ll be playing in a growing league with renowned players.”