Al Hilal interested in Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United will reportedly face a battle to keep Bruno Fernandes at the club this summer, with speculation Al Hilal will make a move for the Red Devils captain.

Fernandes was linked with a move away from Old Trafford last season with Bayern Munich and Barcelona believed to be interested but Fernandes was convinced to extend his stay following a promise the squad would be strengthened.

The 30-year-old put pen to paper on a deal that saw his wages boosted from around £240,000 a week to £300,000 a week until the summer of 2027 with the option of a further year.

Signings did arrive last summer with the club forking out around £200m, though there’s not all that much to show for it, with there still being the possibility of United finishing 17th in the Premier League.

On the brink of the Europa League final, United have every chance of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League, but the club remains years away from challenging for league titles.

While he won’t find major honours in Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal could significantly boost Fernandes’s wages, with the United skipper already on around £300,000 a week at Old Trafford.

Fabrizio Romano reported on X on Monday night: “Al Hilal have genuine interest in Bruno Fernandes as one of their top targets this summer.

“Man United see Bruno as crucial player, same for Rúben Amorim — no talks have started between clubs, no bid or club to club approach.

“Man Utd insist on clear plan to keep Bruno.”

Head coach Ruben Amorim was asked about the link between Fernandes and Real Madrid in March and the Portuguese brushed off speculation.

“He's not going anywhere because I've already told him,” said Amorim with a smirk, but more seriously, he did note that United want to win the Premier League, and they need the best players at the club to do so.

But considering United’s shaky financial position and their dire need to rebuild, a mega bid for Fernandes may be hard to turn down should a Saudi side make a move.

Fernandes has been United’s most important player ever since signing back in the January of 2020, recording a goal or assist once every 1.7 games, and while mis-management on and off the field has seen the club fall down the Premier League table, Fernandes’s worst return in terms of goals and assists remains 15, a figure reached in his first half-season in Manchester.

Liam Williams

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