Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on one of the most uncertain moments of his early career, admitting he questioned whether he was even good enough as a teenager.

The Portuguese midfielder, now regarded as one of the Premier League’s elite creators, revealed he was close to leaving Udinese only weeks after joining the club in 2013.

Fernandes had signed from Novara at the age of 19 after being identified by then-manager Francesco Guidolin. However, with Udinese having a large squad and uncertainty over his immediate role, it quickly left the midfielder questioning his future.

Speaking on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, Fernandes reflected on the moment his confidence took a major hit before his career stepped up a gear.

Bruno Fernandes Nearly Joined EFL Championship Club

The midfielder admitted he had already packed his bags after being informed he would likely leave on loan before the transfer window closed.

Watford, owned by the Pozzo family, who have famously sacked 22 managers in 14 years of ownership, also owned Udinese until 2025. During the summer of 2013, seven of Udinese’s players made their way to England to join the Hornets, and Fernandes was supposed to be the eighth, much to his dismay:

“I was like, ‘What have I done? I wasn’t good enough?’ They called me to the hotel to pack my stuff, because it was the last days of the window. I packed my stuff.”

Despite his concerns, Udinese sporting director Cristiano Giaretta eventually contacted him to confirm the move was off, with Guidolin deciding he wanted the youngster to remain at the club.

From a Potential Watford Move to Manchester United Captain

The decision proved to be a major turning point in Fernandes’ career. After developing further at Udinese, he later joined Sampdoria on loan in 2016, before making the move that truly elevated his reputation, when he returned home to Portugal and joined Sporting Lisbon.

Man Utd signed Fernandes in January 2020 for £47 million, with the playmaker quickly becoming one of the club’s standout performers during what’s been a difficult period for the Red Devils. He was named club captain just three years later and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most productive midfielders.

Fernandes has now made 327 appearances for United, scoring 107 goals and providing 108 assists across all competitions.

The Portugal international also enjoyed a record-breaking Premier League campaign this season, registering his 21st assist on the final day to set a new record for the most assists in a single season.

Arsenal may have won the Premier League title this season, and they have a Champions League final to come this weekend, but they are not ready to rest on their laurels.

The Gunners are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad this summer despite their excellent campaign, with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster the side and add more quality and competition for places.

But he is also looking towards the future for his signings, as are the club higher ups, and they now have confidence that they are set to seal the arrival of one of the best young talents in England ahead of some direct rivals.

Arsenal Confident of Sealing Jeremy Monga Deal

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are growing in confidence that they can seal a deal for Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga this summer.

The winger, who has been described as ‘the next Ousmane Dembele’, is expected to leave the King Power Stadium after they were relegated to League One after a nightmare campaign, and he has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.

However, Monga is understood to be intent on staying in England at this stage of his career, and the 16-year-old winger is believed to be closer to a move to north London, despite interest from Man City and Manchester United.

Offers have been tabled and talks held, but Arsenal’s pathway plans, development structure, and recent success with involving elite young talents in the first-team picture are all understood to have made a big impression in the winger and the team around him.

Leicester expect to lose the forward following their relegation, and Arsenal are now very confident that Monga will be the next elite talent to come off their conveyor belt and into the first-team.

Monga a Major Coup for Arsenal

Arsenal have got some of the best young players in the world in their squad at the moment. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, and Ethan Nwaneri are all in and around the first-team at the Emirates Stadium, and have all been given opportunities by Arteta.

So it’s no surprise that Monga, who has excelled in a poor Leicester team as a teenager, would be excited about the prospect of making the move to the reigning Premier League champions, and continue his fine development in the coming years.

His skill set is excellent for a top club, and beating off direct rivals to secure his arrival would be the cherry on top of the cake.

Manchester United will make a move to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the coming weeks, according to the iPaper.

Man United have made rebuilding their midfield the main priority of the upcoming summer transfer window, which officially opens on June 15.

The Red Devils are already closing in on a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, according to Fabrizio Romano, but they are unlikely to be done there thanks to the confirmed exit of Casemiro, and with South American compatriot Manuel Ugarte up for sale.

Despite the opening of the window being more than a fortnight away, United chiefs are already working on agreements ahead of time, and if a deal is completed for Ederson, he won’t be the last midfielder arriving at Old Trafford in this window.

One report has suggested that if Ugarte does go, United could attempt to sign up to three midfielders to significantly boost their squad ahead of a Champions League campaign.

The club is said to want to sign an elite, big-money replacement for Casemiro, with two lower-priced midfielders arriving alongside that player.

Priced at just below £40m, the Atalanta star would fit into the latter category, as could Fernandes.

Man United ‘Intend to Move’ for Mateus Fernandes

While a deal for Ederson progresses, according to the iPaper, United will also make an offer to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in the coming weeks.

The Red Devils were interested in signing the Portugal international even before the Irons’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed at the weekend, with many Premier League clubs likely to sense an opportunity to sign the 21-year-old at a lower price.

It had previously been suggested that Fernandes would be valued at £80m, so it will be interesting to see how much West Ham will demand now they have gone down to the second tier.

Man United Move is ‘First Pick’ for Mateus Fernandes

According to the iPaper’s sources, Fernandes has already made United his top pick if he is to leave West Ham this summer.

Previous reports have suggested that the youngster would love to play with one of his idols, Bruno Fernandes, at Old Trafford, with his more experienced compatriot also said to have suggested that the Red Devils sign him.

Despite suffering two successive Premier League relegations with West Ham and Southampton, the 21-year-old often stood out as being head and shoulders above his teammates, suggesting he is ready for a move to an elite club.

United have certainly been impressed with what they’ve seen in his two seasons in England, noting his ability to receive the ball all across the midfield.

Fernandes has shown that he can play as a number 6, 8 and 10 during his time with West Ham and Saints, and that versatility and his room for growth is unsurprisingly attracting the Red Devils’ recruitment team.