Sports
Bruno Fernandes Spoke to Cristiano Ronaldo Before Deciding to Stay at Man Utd
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes is, without a doubt, the best signing made by the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but uncertainty hangs over his future. In an interview with The Athletic, however, the Portuguese talisman has explained why he remained at Old Trafford over the summer of 2025.
Given that he has been the club’s creator-in-chief since he arrived from Sporting CP in January 2020, having plundered 100 strikes and 87 assists in 299 outings, much of the fanbase would be worried about seeing him leave. Others, though, believe the fee banked from his departure could fund a midfield re-build.
At the time of writing, the 31-year-old’s Red Devils contract runs out in the summer of 2027 – with the option of an additional 12 months – and Ruben Amorim and Co could cash in on the midfielder’s services in the upcoming summer, or they’ll run the risk of losing him on a free if his extension is not triggered.
Fernandes Reveals Why He Remained at Man Utd in the Summer
Fernandes, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football, remaining under the stewardship of head coach Amorim was never a given over the summer. Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal had made an approach and the midfield maestro was seriously considering the offer, the report stated.
The summer offers a new opportunity for Fernandes, who turned 31 last month, to pack up and leave after what will be, at that point, six-and-a-half years of terrific service.
With him being on the radar of clubs in the Saudi Arabian top flight, Fernandes revealed that he spoke to former teammate and fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo for his opinion. “I spoke to him about the situation, about Saudi and everything,” he said. “I wouldn’t say what he told me, but we spoke about it.
“Cristiano had his opinion on what I should do. WIth all the experience he has, it was important for me to hear what he thought. But obviously the decision will always come to me and to the club.”
On why the 84-cap Portugal international stayed at United amid interest in his signature, he told The Athletic that Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag as head coach in November 2024, expressed that he’d like him to stay. “The manager spoke with me. He said I was still part of the project. He wanted me to stay,” he said.
“The club said the same. If the club was like, ‘Bruno, we want to cash in, you are 30. We want to make some money’, I would be like, ‘OK, I have to find a solution and I will leave’. But obviously that wasn’t the case. I was still part of the plan; I could help the club to achieve our aims,” he reiterated. “That’s what made me stay.”
He then claimed that talks of him moving onto pastures new first arose during the Malaysia leg of United’s post-season tour. “I had a conversation with Omar [Berrada] and I told him, ‘Look, this is what is on the table. I know the club might be looking at this in one way. I will be looking at it in a different way, so I just want to know from your perspective, what you guys want to do’.
|
Bruno Fernandes’ 25/26 Premier League Stats vs Man Utd Squad |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
Output |
Squad Rank |
|
Minutes |
712 |
2nd |
|
Goals |
2 |
1st= |
|
Assists |
1 |
1st= |
|
Shots per game |
2.3 |
4th |
|
Key passes per game |
2.8 |
1st |
|
Dribbles per game |
0.5 |
3rd= |
|
Overall rating |
6.96 |
1st |
“Jason [Wilcox] said, like Omar said, ‘We won’t say no, but obviously we want you to stay at the club. But if you want to go, we won’t say that it’s not a good offer for us, because it’s massive money’.
“Al Hilal could offer £80million-£100m. From there, I spoke with the manager. I said, ‘Look, this is the offer I have on the table. I have to think about if the club says we want you to go because we want to get more players or whatever’.”
Amorim and his entourage, understandably, were all keen to retain the services of Fernandes. “That was not the case,” he said. “The club always said to me that they will reinforce the team. The manager said to me, ‘No, we want more players to help you, and to become a better team, so we don’t want you to go’.”
All statistics per WhoScored – correct as of 24/10/2025
Sports
Man Utd Plot ‘Surprise’ Bid to Sign Bournemouth Star Tyler Adams
Manchester United are considering making a ‘surprise’ bid to sign one star as their third midfielder of the summer.
The Red Devils completed deals to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa as they plan a major rebuild of the position during the transfer window, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow and young winger Tynan Thompson have also arrived.
But the club have not given up hope of making further additions to the squad before the window closes, as Michael Carrick looks to replace Casemiro and an injured Manuel Ugarte, which has led them to take a look at a number of targets.
Man Utd Consider Tyler Adams Bid
According to talkSPORT, Man Utd are now considering a bid to sign Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams.
Adams, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has been a long-term target at Old Trafford in recent transfer windows, with the club big fans of his defensive capabilities, and his stats standing out in their new data-led approach.
United have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni and Adams’ teammate Alex Scott, but both deals are currently proving too expensive, and the American is seen as a cheaper alternative to fill the role.
Reports had suggested that the 27-year-old could be allowed to leave the Vitality Stadium for around £35m, however, that has been dismissed by Bournemouth sources.
But Adams is still considered to be a genuine target at Old Trafford for the third midfielder role, and it’s understood that the club are considering making their interest more concrete with a formal offer.
Manu Kone, Eduardo Camavinga, and Fulham star Sander Berge also feature on the club’s shortlist of options, while Man Utd are also keeping an eye out for market opportunities to improve at left-back and also in attack, amid question marks over the futures of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Adams Would Be Underwhelming Arrival
Man Utd need a defensive midfielder to come into the squad and provide cover and competition for Santos, while Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo look likely to be going into the campaign as the first-choice pairing behind Bruno Fernandes.
But while Adams fits the criteria of being a ball-winning midfielder who can cover ground well, it would be a hugely underwhelming signing, and wouldn’t polish off the rebuild too well.
He has his benefits, but considering the other options already available in the squad, and the players being linked with a move to Old Trafford at this stage, it’s hard to see how he would be the player the club would settle on as their final piece of the midfield jigsaw.
Sports
Inter Milan Pursue Tottenham’s Cristian Romero After Signing John Stones
Inter Milan have agreed a deal to sign former Manchester City defender John Stones. Journalist Orazio Accomando has shared what this means for their pursuit of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
Stones is out of contract this summer, following his departure from Man City, and he’s now edging closer to completing his move.
A number of Premier League clubs were linked with a move to sign the England international, but it appears he’s opted to make the move to Italy this summer.
We could see a departure in the summer transfer window for Cristian Romero, with the Argentinian international seemingly available for transfer this summer.
Tottenham have already brought in both Jan-Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi to strengthen their centre back options, giving them an opportunity to offload one.
Inter make Romero decision
According to journalist Accomando, Stones will sign a two-year contract with Inter Milan.
The reporter adds that Stones isn’t considered an alternative to Tottenham defender Romero, who remains a target for the Italian club.
It appears Inter are planning a big overhaul of their defensive options, meaning both Stones and Romero could arrive this summer.
Inter often play a back three, so it’s no surprise that they are also interested in the Tottenham defender after securing the signature of Stones.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Tottenham can afford to cash in
Due to the signings of both Senesi and van Hecke during the summer transfer window, Tottenham can afford to cash in on a player like Romero.
The Argentinian international clearly wants to go and play European football next season with Spurs finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League for two campaigns on the bounce.
Tottenham will be without any European football, which could have an impact on whether players want to remain with the club heading into the new season.
If Romero wants to leave the club, then Tottenham can afford to cash in.
Sports
UEFA Make Statement as Gianni Infantino Plans to ‘Sell the World Cup’
Gianni Infantino has been told he has ‘crossed a line’ with his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. The FIFA boss is reportedly eyeing a ‘£15 billion sell-off’ with private investors already consulted, according to The Times.
The leader of world football’s governing body has been involved in controversy throughout the 2026 World Cup, with his close relationship to US President Donald Trump being put under the microscope.
Trump personally phoned Infantino to ask for a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina, with the ban being suspended before the USA’s next match. There were even calls for an investigation into Infantino’s actions.
World Cup Stakes Could Be Sold By FIFA
Now, the FIFA president has been met with a furious statement by UEFA as his plan to sell World Cup stakes became public knowledge. Infantino’s plan is for FIFA to retain majority control, with the rest being sold to the 211 national associations and partly to private investment.
Infantino himself is reportedly in line to pocket ‘tens of millions of pounds’ as a result of the scheme. The Trump administration has been approached with the idea, which would see a company being formed to control FIFA’s men’s and women’s competitions, the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The Times’ report states that one senior figure in the football world views the plan as a ‘nuclear bomb’ for the sport. There are also private concerns that investors would apply pressure to host tournaments in countries based on commercial opportunities.
UEFA Condemn Infantino’s World Cup Plan
UEFA have responded to the plan with anger. The governing body of European football has claimed Infantino is ‘crossing a line’.
The statement reads: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Despite recent criticism, Infantino is set to be re-elected as the FIFA president until 2031, with the 56-year-old facing no competition. He could become the ‘commissioner’ of the World Cup once his presidency finally ends in five years.
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