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‘Says a Lot About Him As a Person’ – Gary Neville Hails Man Utd Star Bruno Fernandes for Rejecting Mega Saudi Offer 4n6629

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published04 Jun 2025

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Manchester United legend Gary Neville has praised Bruno Fernandes after he turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. 

Man Utd captain Fernandes’ future has been up in the air since the end of the season. With United finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, the 2024/25 campaign had been one to forget.

After Man Utd’s defeat against Spurs in the Europa final, Fernandes said he would leave the club if they received a lucrative enough bid.

Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal emerged as the frontrunner in the race for the Portuguese’s services. Fernandes’ compatriot Ruben Neves also encouraged him to switch to Saudi Arabia, suggesting it was an excellent opportunity.

Man Utd Star Bruno Fernandes Rejects Big Offer from Saudi Side Al Hilal 491w6r

According to The Mirror, Al Hilal presented him with a stellar £700k-a-week offer to switch to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window. Accepting the offer would have seen him earn £100 million, tax-free, over three years.

Man Utd would have also received a massive £100 million in transfer fees, helping them land their key targets for the summer. United are keen on g Bryan Mbeumo and have already opened talks with Brentford.

Despite the lucrative offer, Fernandes has decided to stay put, not wanting to uproot his family. He also does not want to close his football chapter in Europe. Still only 30, Fernandes feels he still has plenty to offer.

Gary Neville Praises Bruno Fernandes for Rejecting Saudi Arabia Offer q635g

With footballers unhesitantly moving to Saudi Arabia in search of a more comfortable lifestyle, Bruno Fernandes has chosen to see the tough times through with Manchester United.

Man Utd legend Gary Neville has praised the Portugal international for rejecting the move, claiming it shows character.

“I think that there was an element of this situation that meant United getting that level of money, for someone of Bruno’s age, obviously, you couldn’t say that it would have been a bad deal,” said Neville (via Sky Sports).

“But, on the other hand, Manchester United’s star player – only player at times – for the last four, five, six years, has been Bruno Fernandes. He’s so important.”

He added:

“The fact that he wants to stay, the fact that he wants to go through this and come out the other side, because it would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, ‘Look, I’m done here’, will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more.

“To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things,’ I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character. The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”

Fernandes has played 290 games for the club in all competitions since ing in the winter of 2020. He has scored 98 goals and provided 87 assists. The playmaker’s current deal with Man Utd runs until June 30, 2027.