Why Bruno Fernandes has turned another Saudi move down to stay at Man United

Bruno Fernandes to the Saudi Pro League is a transfer rumour that just won't go away. Manchester United's skipper turned down a move to Al-Hilal earlier this summer despite the Saudi giants being prepared to hand him a lucrative contract and offer the Reds £80m-100m, per BBC Sport.

This time it's Al-Nassr who have come calling, and their mission to bring Fernandes to the Middle East is likely driven by Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's new contract has given him even more power behind the scenes and he's already persuaded the club to swoop for compatriot Joao Felix.

Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sport reports that Fernandes has rejected the chance to join the Saudi Pro League despite an approach from the club where there is a strong Portuguese contingent.

The main reason the 30-year-old is continuing to snub a Saudi move may be down to his family and personal preference. But there is also a reason he's not pushed for a United exit to try and stay put in Europe but leave Old Trafford after last season's horror show.

Man United have shown Bruno Fernandes the ambition he wanted

It's scary to look at United's recruitment since Fernandes arrived in January 2020. Five years have passed and there's been countless misses and some hits such as Amad and Leny Yoro.

Fernandes has deserved players of his calibre to have joined him during those five years but there hasn't been a single world-class player, in their prime, to have signed. Casemiro was past his best years when he arrived from Real Madrid in 2022.

It may be a stretch to call Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo 'world-class' but they are certainly the two most exciting acquistions the club has made since Fernandes. They fit the vision to be back competing for major honours because of their proven success in the Premier League, bagging 35 goals between them last season.

Fernandes was likely preparing to pack his bags and accept that United weren't willing to finally show him they mean business. But those two deals will likely have enthused the Portuguese playmaker.

Benjamin Sesko is now on INEOS' radar and is their chosen number nine signing. A deal still needs to be done with RB Leipzig but again this is a player who might not be world-class yet but is a high-profile signing who has a superstar status in Germany, far more respected than Rasmus Hojlund was in Italy.

Fernandes needs a new midfield partner

While United are busy chasing Sesko there still are some issues in Amorim's squad that need attending to. Not least, the glaring need for a new holding midfielder who has the energy to work box-to-box.

Once Sesko, hopefully, gets done, a new midfielder should be targeted and there are some options. The dream would be Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba who Rio Ferdinand pined for when speaking to fans on his YouTube channel:

“An Amorim-type player as well. Physically great, can drive with the ball, can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, centre midfield. Baleba."

He added:

“That’s who I go and get. That’s my man. That’s the one I go and get. I go and break the bank.”

Brighton-based outlet The Argus have fuelled talk of a future move for Baleba by reporting that the feeling in the club is that he will be a big-money sale at some stage.

That doesn't mean this summer, and even if he is available it most certainly wouldn't fit into United's current budget. That's why sales are so important for INEOS now to try and continue mending a broken Red Devils side.

Other potential midfield options to partner Fernandes include Aston Villa's Amadou Onana who we initially pushed to be signed and start the season opener against Arsenal. But the most likely midfield arrival would seem to be Hayden Hackney amid reports of a potential hijack.

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