Saudi club ‘not giving up’ on dream Manchester United transfer | OneFootball

Al Hilal Maintain Interest in Man Utd Captain Despite Club’s Firm Stance

Saudi club determined to land key midfielder

Al Hilal remain determined in their pursuit of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, according to Sky Sports. Despite United insisting that Fernandes is not for sale, the Saudi club are reportedly eager to include the Portuguese playmaker in their squad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States.

Photo: IMAGO

With the tournament set to kick off on 18 June, where Al Hilal face Real Madrid, the Saudi Pro League champions are aiming to capitalise on a brief 10-day transfer window, starting this Sunday.

It has also been reported that Fernandes’s agent is currently in Riyadh, fuelling speculation. For now, however, United’s position is unchanged: “not for sale.”

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This situation is worrying for United supporters, not because Fernandes is necessarily on the brink of leaving, but because the timing and pressure being applied by Al Hilal feel eerily familiar. It’s the type of unsettling noise United do not need right now, especially during a summer where clarity and structure are vital.

Bruno Fernandes has been one of the few consistent performers in a disjointed era. He leads, he creates, and even when the team falters, he rarely hides. To lose that kind of influence — both technically and emotionally — just weeks before pre-season would be destabilising, no matter how lucrative the offer might be.

There is also a broader concern here. If agents are meeting with clubs despite United’s stance, it suggests possible cracks in internal confidence. If Fernandes genuinely wants to stay, this becomes a non-story. But if he’s open to a new challenge, especially with wages in the Saudi Pro League being astronomical, then it becomes something more.

United need to issue clarity — and not just to Al Hilal, but to the fans. Keep the captain, or start the process of rebuilding yet another identity. Right now, supporters deserve better than uncertainty.