Ruben Amorim does not believe Bruno Fernandes has played his last game for Man United
Ruben Amorim does not believe Bruno Fernandes has played his last game for Man United
HONG KONG – Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim does not believe Bruno Fernandes has played his last game for the Red Devils, saying after their 3-1 win over Hong Kong in a friendly on May 30 that he had a feeling his captain planned to stay.
The game at Hong Kong Stadium was played amid swirling talk that Saudi Pro-League club Al Hilal are prepared to splash out £100 million or more (S$173 million) for the Portuguese midfielder.
Asked at a press conference if it was Fernandes' last game in a United shirt, Amorim said: 'I don't think so. I don't know for sure. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things.
'He sees us (the club) taking some actions and to change all the things... I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay.
'The club can find other ways to make money. The feeling I get is that he wants to continue for sure with Man United, but you never know.'
Fernandes had suggested after the season's final game – their 1-0 Europa League final loss to fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur – that he could be sold to balance the books.
Amorim acknowledged the 30-year-old was 'so frustrated' in many games in a horrible season where they finished 15th, their worst Premier League campaign.
'But he knows what we are doing,' the United boss added.
'Of course, I'm the manager. I'm the coach, but sometimes it's a decision of the player. But he's really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world.'
United trailed at half-time against Hong Kong after a 19th-minute goal from Juninho, but Chido Obi scored shortly after the break and in the 82nd minute. Ayden Heaven then struck in the 94th minute.
The victory at least salvaged something positive after United had been booed for their performance in a 1-0 loss to ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia.
They were also ridiculed for an open-top bus parade in Kuala Lumpur.
But Amorim still deemed the tour a success.
'We have a clear idea of what we want,' he said. 'Of course we are a little bit limited, we cannot do everything in one summer, but we have a clear picture of what we want.'
On player movements, defender Harry Maguire has admitted that 'a lot of players' will be shown the door after their horrible season.
'We will make a lot of changes in the summer. There will be a lot of players who leave and hopefully a lot will come in,' he said.
'And that's down to the club to make sure they get that right.' REUTERS, AFP
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