Ruben Amorim thinks Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Man Utd amid Saudi interest
Ruben Amorim thinks skipper Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid interest from free-spending Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Fernandes won the club's player of the year award for a record-equalling fourth time having been a shining light during the Red Devils' worst top-flight campaign since suffering relegation in 1973-74.
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Last week's Europa League final loss to Tottenham compounded matters, with the financial hit of missing out on Champions League qualification – and European football entirely – damaging Amorim's rebuild.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim think Bruno Fernandes wants to stay (Martin Rickett/PA)
Fernandes admitted after the loss in Bilbao that United could end up cashing in on him, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal pushing to sign the 30-year-old playmaker ahead of the Club World Cup.
The Portugal international led United out as they rounded off their post-season trip to Asia with a 3-1 friendly win against Hong Kong.
Asked whether that might have been Fernandes' last United appearance, head coach Amorim said: 'I don't think so.
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'I don't know for sure, nobody knows, but I don't think so. I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think that is all that he asked. I think he wants to stay.
Bruno Fernandes has shone during a difficult season for Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA(
'He's saying no to a lot of things, but it shows that he wants to win and I think he's really young, he's really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world.'
Fernandes is reportedly giving serious consideration to the big-money proposal, with Al-Hilal said to be willing to triple the United skipper's salary and pay the Premier League club up to £100million.
That figure would help fund this summer's much-needed rebuild as United navigate profit and sustainability rules.
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Pushed on whether United could turn down such a fee, Amorim said: 'Yes, yes. We can find another way to earn money.'
Amorim reiterated his belief that Fernandes wants to stay later in the post-match press conference, saying: 'The feeling I have, every time I speak to him, is he wants to continue with Manchester United, for sure.'
There looks to be plenty of activity in terms of incomings and outgoings at Old Trafford this summer as the Red Devils step up their much-needed revamp.
Brazil forward Matheus Cunha looks set to be the first through the door after Wolves gave United permission to tie up a deal having met the terms of his £62.5m contract release clause.
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Apparently Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who looks to be Chelsea bound, and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo are among other players of interest as Amorim seeks to shape the side in his image.
'I can do the work without being at Carrington,' the head coach said after Chido Obi, 17, scored a brace and Ayden Heaven, 18, wrapped up the win in Hong Kong.
'I will stay in Manchester for a while, even for the kids to be there in the schools so they don't forget their English. I will be near in this moment because I want to and I cannot disconnect now.
'I will have to deal with some things and then rest a little bit. It's hard to disconnect but I will rest for a while.
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'Yes, I have a clear idea and we have a clear idea of what we want, of course. You know we are a little bit limited and can't do everything in one summer.
'But we have a clear picture of what we want. We are working on that for a while so let's wait and see.
'Of course, we have a clear picture of what we want for next season.'
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Meanwhile, United have confirmed the exit of first-team coach Andreas Georgson.
Brought in last July by former boss Erik ten Hag and technical director Jason Wilcox, his responsibilities included set-pieces and individual player development.
Georgson stayed after Amorim's arrival but PA understand he mutually agreed to move on following discussions with the United boss and Wilcox as there was less space in the new set-up to fulfil his role.
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