Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has revealed how his path to the Premier League almost took a dramatic detour to Tottenham Hotspur, six months before his iconic Old Trafford switch.
The Tottenham Bid That Never Was
In the summer of 2019, with Jose Mourinho in charge at Tottenham Hotspur, the North London club made concrete enquiries to sign the Portuguese playmaker from Sporting CP. However, despite Fernandes being open to the move, Spurs refused to meet the asking price, scuppering the deal and leaving the player in Lisbon.
Fernandes addressed the collapsed transfer diplomatically at the time, telling GQ magazine: "As you all know, Tottenham made a lot of proposals for me. Everything was right with me... It was, and is, my goal to play in England." He confirmed that Sporting CP deemed the offers insufficient, a decision he respected.
From Missed Opportunity to Manchester United Stalwart
The story, of course, did not end there. Just under six months later, in January 2020, Manchester United secured his signature for an initial £47 million. The move has proven transformative for both player and club. Now 31, Fernandes has become one of the league's standout performers, contributing to 196 goals in 307 appearances and captaining the side for nearly three seasons.
His importance to United is undeniable, which makes his recent candid comments about his future all the more startling. Reflecting on summer interest from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal, Fernandes admitted he felt undervalued by the club hierarchy.
A Captain's Frustration and an Uncertain Future
"I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club," Fernandes told Maisfutebol. "The conversation with the manager [Ruben Amorim] also made me stay. But, from the club's side, I felt a bit like, 'If you leave, it's not so bad for us'. It hurts me a lot."
He expressed sadness that his unwavering commitment and availability seemed to count for less than expected, a pointed remark in a squad often criticised for inconsistent application.
While manager Ruben Amorim's influence was key in retaining him for this season, it may be a temporary fix. In a separate interview with Canal 11, Fernandes hinted at ambitions beyond Old Trafford, stating he "would like to experience the Spanish league and fight for big titles in Italy," where his daughter was born. He also left the door open for an emotional return to Sporting CP one day.
With his contract running until 2027 (plus a one-year option), United still hold the cards. However, Tottenham's financial hesitation in 2019, which gifted their rivals a midfield maestro, serves as a potent reminder of how transfer market decisions can haunt a club for years. For United, keeping their captain content and committed is the new priority.
