Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been candid about his decision to remain at Old Trafford last summer, saying he does not believe he will be able to recreate the feeling of success at “any other club in the world”.
The 31-year-old turned down a move to Saudi Arabia last summer in favor of remaining at United. Fernandes admitted in December that he could have left, but Sky Sports News reported that United had no intention of selling him and that he remains part of the club’s long-term plans.
In an exclusive chat with United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, the Portuguese midfielder explained why success at United meant more to him than it would have elsewhere.
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“It’s not a question of loyalty,” Fernandez said.
“I could have gone two years ago, I could have gone three years ago, I could have gone last season, but I want to be here.
“I think being successful at this club is something you’ll never get at any other club. The day you get the joy, everything you get, everything you want from this club, I don’t think you can get that from any other club in the world.”
“I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are. I know how much they’ve been waiting for the club to come back. I’m in the same boat as them. I want this boat. I don’t want it to be stable, I want it to move forward and sail as far as it can.”
“Yes, I won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup (but) what this club wants, what the fans want and what I want, myself and the team haven’t gotten it yet. I’m going to work until the end of my contract.”
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See all 4 assists from Bruno Fernandes for Benjamin Sesco in this season’s Premier League
United finished in 15th place in the Premier League last season, their lowest in the club’s history, before losing in the Europa League final, sealing a season without European football at Old Trafford. However, despite the difficulties, Fernandes added that his decision to stay was based on his unfinished business at the club.
Fernandes told Neville: “The club was going through a tough period as they had just lost the European final and finished bottom of the Premier League.”
“Six years ago, the club trusted me to come here and believed that I could help the club. At that time, my decision was driven by the fact that I was not achieving my dreams here.
“I haven’t achieved everything I wanted. I’ve never hidden the fact that I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League with this club. Maybe I can achieve it, maybe I won’t. But I’m going to keep trying until I get the chance or until I’m here to achieve it.”
“Will it be difficult? Yes. There are top clubs in the league who have been winning for years and have always been there, but we are not.”
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