Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is reportedly under significant pressure to make a quick decision regarding a potential move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
According to a report by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, Al-Hilal has presented Fernandes with a stunning three-year contract offer valued at £65 million per season, with the overall package, including bonuses, nearing £200 million.
The Saudi club is also ready to pay Manchester United a transfer fee of £100 million for the Portuguese playmaker.
What makes this situation even more intense is that Al-Hilal has given Fernandes just 72 hours to respond once the official bid is submitted. The club is eager to finalize their squad ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup, and time is of the essence.
This development comes at a difficult moment for Manchester United, who are reeling from a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. That loss not only cost them a spot in next season’s Champions League, but also resulted in a massive financial hit, with revenue losses estimated at £100 million.
To add to their woes, the club’s market value plummeted by around 8%, which translates to a staggering £160 million drop in share value.
With United potentially finishing as low as 16th or 17th in the Premier League, this could be their worst campaign in recent history. The financial pressure is mounting, and as a result, club executives are reportedly open to the idea of selling high-earning stars like Fernandes to help balance the books.
Although Fernandes is under contract until 2027 and serves as club captain, the scale of the Saudi offer and the club’s ongoing financial difficulties could tip the balance.
Manager Ruben Amorim, who still enjoys the board’s backing, faces a tough summer ahead, especially with limited funds for squad improvements.
However, offloading Fernandes could allow the club to reinvest in younger talent such as Matheus Cunha, Rayan Cherki, Pedro Gonçalves, and Liam Delap, potentially reshaping United’s attacking line for the future.
The fanbase is deeply split on the issue. Some supporters believe that cashing in on a 30-year-old midfielder for over £100 million is a smart move given Financial Fair Play constraints.
Others worry that losing their on-field leader and creative heartbeat could be a major setback during a period of instability.
With only a three-day deadline to respond, Fernandes is at a career-defining crossroads. Choosing to stay might reaffirm his loyalty and leadership, but risks further stagnation.
Opting to leave, however, could bring in critical funds for a rebuild—yet at the cost of losing one of the club’s most important players.
