"At the end of last season, Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal were prepared to pay a £100 million transfer fee and wages approaching £750,000 a week to take him to Riyadh. United, as reported by ESPN at the time, left the decision with Fernandes. The club had failed to qualify for European competition, having lost the Europa League final against Tottenham and finished 15th in the Premier League. Finances were consequently impacted, so even Fernandes was available for the right fee."
"Nobody can be certain that United would now be a better team without Fernandes, using the transfer fee to bolster Ruben Amorim's squad in key areas, or that his departure would have been a blow that would set the side even further back. But the club's pragmatic long-term business decision to listen to offers for the former Sporting CP player is instead viewed by Fernandes as a rejection of everything he has done for the club."
"More than hurting me, it makes me sad. The club wanted me to leave -- 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 to stay. If I had said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, they would have let me go."
Bruno Fernandes felt hurt and sad after Manchester United considered selling him in the summer despite his contributions. Al Hilal offered a £100 million fee and wages nearing £750,000 a week to sign him. United missed European competition, which impacted finances and led the club to listen to offers and leave the final decision with Fernandes. Fernandes interpreted the club's willingness to sell as a lack of appreciation and a rejection. He believes directors wanted him out but the manager resisted, and that he would have been allowed to leave had he chosen to do so.
Read at ESPN.com
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