Ruben Amorim confident Bruno Fernandes will stay at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim believes Bruno Fernandes will stay at Manchester United this summer amid suggestions the player could be set for a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Hilal are said to have made an approach for the United captain, bidding in the region of £100m and offering to make Fernandes one of the world's highest-paid players in the process. United's stance remains that Fernandes is not for sale and Amorim doubled down on that position after watching his team beat Hong Kong 3-1 in a post-season friendly on Friday. He views his countryman as vital to the club's future. The 30-year-old was named United's player of the season for a record-equalling fourth time. He is contracted to the club until June 2027.
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Asked if the win over Hong Kong might prove to be Fernandes' final appearance for United, Amorim said: 'I don't think so. I don't know for sure, nobody knows, but I don't think so. I think he's seeing us taking some actions to change things and that's all he asks.
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'I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things, but that shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good, he needs to be in the best league in the world.'
Amorim denied United would be forced to cash in on Fernandes in order to generate transfer funds. The club's failure to qualify for the Champions League after a catastrophic campaign means finances will be tight this summer, with United needing to sell several players before they can buy. 'We can find another way to earn money,' Amorim said. Alejandro Garnacho, who started alongside Fernandes in Hong Kong, could well be sold, while Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho – all of whom spent time away from Old Trafford on loan this season – are for sale.
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After losing 1-0 to Asean All-Stars in their first post-season friendly in Malaysia, United again fell behind in Hong Kong. But after Juninho's 19th minute opener for the hosts, young striker Chido Obi scored twice after replacing Rasmus Højlund for the second half.
Obi's first was a smart left-footed finish after he turned under pressure in the box following Manuel Ugarte's tackle. The 17-year-old then glanced Mason Mount's cross into the net to snatch the lead eight minutes from time. Fellow former Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven completed the victory in added time when he met Amad Diallo's ball with a powerful header. The goals were Obi and Heaven's first senior strikes for United, albeit not in a competitive fixture.
United are not in action until 19 July when they take on Leeds in Stockholm, before a pre-season tour of the USA where they will play West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. Fernandes is expected to feature for Portugal in the Nations League semi-final against Germany on 4 June. The final and third-place playoff are set for 8 June.
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