Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandez said on Tuesday that he rejected the opportunity to join the Saudi Crescent, and chose to stay with United to continue playing “at the highest level.”
The Portuguese midfielder admitted that he thought about this step, which media reports stated that he would give him 4 times his current salary, after receiving a call from Al Hilal club president.
“There was a possibility for that, the president of Al -Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about the matter,” Fernandez, who is preparing to participate with Portugal against Germany.
“It was a very big and ambitious offer. I had a period to think about the future,” he added.
Fernandez eventually decided to stay with United, driven by his desire to continue to compete for major titles and with the encouragement of his family and United coach Robin Amorim.
“I would have become ready if Manchester United decided that. I talked to coach Robin Amorim, who tried hard to convince me about it. The club said he would not sell me, unless I wanted to leave,” said Fernandez.
“I talked to my wife and family, and asked me about my personal goals in my professional career,” he added.
“It was easy to move there, but I want to stay at the highest level, participate in major competitions, and I feel I am able to do this. I am happy with my decision,” the Portuguese player continued.
Fernandez, 30, scored 19 goals and presented 19 decisive passes in 57 games in all competitions with United last season, and won the award for the best player in the club for the fourth time.
However, the season was disappointed by the team as it ended it in 15th in the Premier League, which is the worst position the team achieved in half a century, and lost the European League final against Tottenham Hotspur.