MANCHESTER UNITED captain Bruno Fernandes stated he is willing to leave if the club decide to cash in on him this summer.
Fernandes, 30, saw United’s hopes of Champions League qualification go up in flames on Wednesday when they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, who ended their 17-year trophy hoodoo.
The playmaker has been Man Utd’s standout performer amid the club’s worst ever Premier League campaign but failed to inspire at San Mames where they lost 1-0 to Spurs.
And the Portugal international confirmed after full-time that he is willing to depart Old Trafford if the club opt to part ways in order to raise cash for manager Ruben Amorim’s planned squad revamp.
Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting Lisbon star is adamant he wants to stay and help the Manchester giants return to the top.
Fernandes said: “I have always been honest. I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go.
“I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days.
“In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.
“If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”
This comes amid reports suggesting Al-Hilal are planning a British transfer record bid for Fernandes during the summer transfer window.
The Saudi giants are prepared to smash the £115million Premier League transfer record Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
That would work as a massive financial boost for United as they missed out on a £100m windfall and won’t play in Europe at all this coming season.
And the Saudi Pro League outfit would pay the attacking midfielder a staggering £65million per season on a three-year deal.
Amorim, though, is adamant he wants Fernandes to stay put in Manchester ahead of his major rebuild.
Nevertheless, the Portuguese tactician also claimed he would walk away from United with no pay-off if the board and fans decide his time is up.
Amorim said: “In this moment, I am not going to be here defending myself. It’s not my style, I cannot do it. It is really hard for me.
“So I have nothing to show to the fans and say, ‘I’m going to improve because of this, I have these problems…’ I will not do nothing.
“In this moment, it is a little bit of faith. Let’s see.
“I’m always open, if the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation.
“But I will not quit. I am really confident in my job. As you can see, I will not change nothing in how I do things.”
Man Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depth
AMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.
Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.
Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.
The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.
But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.
The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men…
Read the full article here