‘They wanted me to leave’ – Fernandes ‘hurt’ by Man Utd’s attempts to sell him to Al‑Hilal
Video credit: SNTV
However, after talks with United boss Ruben Amorim, he decided to stay, and The Red Devils have so far improved on last season, when they finished in 15h place in the Premier League and lost the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
United currently sit in sixth in the Premier League following Monday’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
They are not involved in European competition, however, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town.
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Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring against Manchester United on Monday
Image credit: Getty Images
Fernandes is still confident that he will be able to win more silverware at the club, telling former United defender Ferdinand it was the reason he decided to remain.
“I wouldn’t have stayed here if the club hadn’t told me our aim is still to get the highest we can be, get back to winning trophies, get back to being the club we were before.
“Because if that was not the aim, then, yes, I wouldn’t have stayed here.
“But (it’s) because I know the aim of the club is still to get back to where they want to be, and where I want the club to be, and that’s why I came to the club in the first place. So, if I can help to get back there, that’s all I want to do.”
In another part of the interview, Fernandes revealed that, as well as last summer, there was another time when he could have left the club.
“When I came to the club, apart from loving being here and loving the club, I think my loyalty was like in the toughest periods I had the club and I could have left two times,” Fernandes said.
“The club said, ‘No, we need you.’ And I said, ‘Okay, you gave me something. I will give you something.’
“Obviously, I think the time at the club has not been as I wanted because, obviously, I wanted to lift trophies and I haven’t lifted as many as I should and I could.
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‘We lost the two points in the first half’ – Amorim rues missed chances in Bournemouth draw
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“But at the same time, I think everything I’ve done for the club in a certain way was still very important and not taking anything away from other players that were here and everything.
“I think when we struggled the most, I stayed present at the club and I think everyone at the club, I hope, is aware of that because the chances I had were very good.
“So I’m very aware that I could have done a different path. I could have gone in a different way and probably won more trophies and (had more) people talking about me in a different way because I’ve had trophies in my cabinet.
“So, nowadays, people talk more like you are a better player or a worse player if you win or you lose trophies.”
United next play on Sunday, when they travel to title challengers Aston Villa.
