Ruben Amorim believes Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United and rejected the suggestion the club needs to sell him to fund an overhaul of the squad.
Fernandes is reportedly considering a move to Al-Hilal following a 2024-25 campaign in which he was named as United’s Player of the Season for the fourth successive time. A transfer to the Saudi club would allow him to play in the Club World Cup next month.
United finished the season 15th in the Premier League, while defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final ensured the Red Devils missed out on Champions League football.
Amorim is said to be plotting a significant revamp of the squad in the wake of United’s worst ever Premier League season.
However, it has been claimed that a potential £80million sale of Fernandes may be required to fund Amorim’s ambitions.
Fernandes was included from the start on Friday as United rounded off a post-season tour of Asia with a 3-1 win over Hong Kong.
Asked afterwards if Fernandes will leave the club, Amorim replied: “I don’t think so. I don’t know for sure. Nobody knows but I don’t think so. He’s seen us taking some actions to change all the things. I think that is all he asks.
“I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things but he chose that he wants to win. I think he’s really good and he needs to be on the best league in the world.”
Pressed on whether the club could afford not to sell Fernandes, Amorim said: “Yes, we can find another way to win money.”
Amorim, though, stopped short of ruling out a departure for Fernandes.
He added: “Of course, I talk with him. I explain things and I just have that feeling, when you talk to someone, you have the feeling if they want to stay.
“Sometimes, after lots of games this season, he was so frustrated but he knows what we are doing.
“The feeling I have, every time I speak to him, is he wants to continue with Manchester United, for sure. But you never know.”
