Not something we all thought we'd be hearing but as it is transfer season, news like this was always going to come out.
It's also not entirely surprising as well as the Saudi's have been in for Bruno before. They've been linked to the United skipper for the past two seasons and it seems that they will be trying for a third.
The report that came out last night (05/05) was that "Al Hilal’s management is meeting TODAY with Bruno Fernandes' agent to discuss the possibility of signing him before the Club World Cup" [@a_alhanyan] via AmorimEra_.
Another report [H_swilhy] not long after said that Al-Hilal made an OFFICIAL offer for the midfielder. What this offer is isn't actually known but some are saying a fee in the region of £100m is reported.
I was skeptical about this information but the more people spoke about it, the more I started to believe it was genuine.
Now that Fabrizio Romano has spoken on the matter, we can all agree that it is legit. He says that "Al Hilal have genuine interest in Bruno Fernandes as one of their top targets this summer" but also adds that both United and Ruben Amorim "see Bruno as crucial player" and that there has been NO talks between clubs.
Fernandes signed a contract extension which keeps him at United until 2027 after sitting down with the club before the start of this season to pen the deal. This extension saw his wage increase from £12.5m-a-year to £15.6m-a-year as well indicating just how integral United see their captain to this team and project.
But not only has Romano cleared up that Amorim wants him to stay but in a press conference not so long ago, the MUFC manager was asked about his fellow Portuguese's future amid links to Real Madrid. Amorim only smiled and said "No, not going to happen."
Update
In the last hour, there's been a major update regarding the price Al-Hilal are willing to offer United for Bruno Fernandes. Ben Jacobs says that the Saudi club are willing to pay £130m which would be a Premier League record for a player sale, via The United Stand. A further report was that Al-Hilal were offering Bruno a yearly wage of £65m!
A second update has just come in (30/05) from Laurie Whitwell with The Athletic journalist saying "Bruno Fernandes giving serious consideration to Al Hilal approach as talks continue in Saudi Arabia."
"Al Hilal's offer is a four year deal on €25million a year net, equivalent to triple his current salary. They are said to be prepared to pay Man United £80 million."
"There is a feeling internally that should #mufc entertain Al Hilal’s bid for Bruno Fernandes, that might invite European teams to the table"
I feel that it isn't as simple as 'yes' or 'no' in terms of whether Bruno should be kept or not. When you dive deeper into it, there are several reasons for both arguments.
Let's say that Al-Hilal, who are 2nd in the Saudi Pro League, 6 points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, do come in with an offer of £100m or more, will INEOS not be tempted by such a price? We know how they've been when it comes to cost saving as they have gone to the absolute extreme in terms of trying to save money.
Maybe some of the current staff will look at this potential deal and think that the club should do it so as to not have to sack them? Those in the canteen may think about it as well so there is no reduction in the food portions served at the training ground. Maybe ticket prices won't have to be as high as they are?
As United appears to be run more like a business than a football club, you wouldn't put it past INEOS and the Glazers to consider a deal of this magnitude.
There is also the player himself that we need to take into account. Perhaps Bruno will feel that I've done all that I can at this club, I'm not getting any younger (he's 30) and the club are in turmoil with the rebuild probably going to take many years.
As we've now lost the Europa League, it means United won't be playing any European football due to the league finish of 15th.
Does Bruno want to stay without European football?
Whilst Amorim did say no to a move for Bruno, if a ridiculous offer came in, perhaps he might think that with this money, I could buy a couple of players that would improve the team/squad and then we don't have to be so reliable on just one player?
We do need a squad overhaul and with the magnifico's magnificent new wage (£300k-a-week), with him gone, that will be another expense that has been removed and is part of the reason why players such as Rashford, Casemiro and Antony that need to go.
The flip side to this is the importance of Bruno to this team and project under Amorim and INEOS.
It isn't necessarily on the player on what the club do. The players just have to go out there and perform as well as they can every game which is something we cannot complain about when it comes to Bruno. Whether you like him or not, you simply cannot question his attitude and love for the club. Players like that are needed more than anything.
The skipper is also super influential to this team in more ways than one: his output going forward, his experience, his leadership, the man for the big moments. We do not have enough players like that.
People will say that he isn't a good captain and often compare him to those of the past and in this sense, he isn't but I believe he's the best captain we have for this team.
He is also ever-present as he is never injured and plays every game to the best of his ability. That availibility isn't something that is known to many players especially in this day-and-age. Despite his age of 30, it's thanks to this fitness and constant running ability that means that Bruno should be able to play for at least another 6-7 years.
We also see that without him, this team just doesn't look itself, they appear ruderless without their captain. He is the heart of the team and with his chaotic approach, I think he is perfect for this current United.
Many reasons to keep and sell him.
What would I do?
Earlier in the season between the start and February, I would've probably say yes to this type of deal. I thought that Bruno wasn't performing anywhere near the level he should be even more so after the new contract, that the output had dipped and the performances were awful for a player of his quality.
There were question marks over his leadership as well with the talk being that perhaps similarly to Maguire, maybe the captain's armband is too heavy for him.
Once Amorim came in with his new system and formation, we didn't know where the skipper would fit in. He is best as a no 10 but in a 3-4-2-1, there are two no 10s. Would he be able to play with someone by his side that far up the field?
The early stages suggested that he couldn't and maybe he needed to play deeper. This is exactly what the manager has done and it looked to be working as Bruno since February when he started to play as a no 8 more regularly, looked to have turned a corner with his form. 'I think he is a CM in this formation' was everyone's thoughts.
Due to the injuries though, Amorim was forced to use Casemiro who can only play as a CDM. Upon Ugarte's return, he had to play alongside his fellow South American meaning that Bruno had to move further forward again despite showing brilliant form as the no 8.
His form wasn't quite the same as a CAM with everyone once more questioning where his best position lies.
Thankfully though, in the past month or so, the magnifico's performances have been brilliant back in what many would consider his best position as that attacking midfielder.
He has also become an integral part of Ruben Amorim's setup and hopes for the future as he is a player that he needs for the nonce. Fernandes has become so important that Amorim chose to leave him on the bench for Sunday's defeat to Brentford so as to keep him fresh for Thursday's second leg against Bilbao. This isn't something that had been done previously.
Considering where we are as a team and club, I don't think we can afford to lose a player like him at the moment. This is why I would keep Bruno at United. We need him now more than ever.
With all that being said though, if an outrageous bid came in, I would take it. Bruno is a divisive player and I just don't like how split we are as a fan base on him, or any player. That to me suggests they aren't as good as we need them to be.
He can be so hit and miss and with a potential £100m coming our way, that would be a great help to the rebuild. £80m however? Absolutely not ❌. Bruno is worth much more than that and if this is the offer, forget about it.
Something completely ridiculous needs to be offered to United for me to say yes.
Could this mean he goes to another European club? If they can offer up good money, why not? Bruno is too good for the Saudi league and still has a decent amount of time left in his career especially with how fit he is. I don't think now is thetime for him to go there. He could still play at the highest level.
I could see him playing at a Barcelona. I think he would suit this current side perfectly.
It's not really something that I want to do as we shouldn't be selling our best players for money. Due to the position we're in as a club though, this money could be of great help. Still doesn't feel right though.
And then it's about whether the club use this money wisely. If we waste it away by spending it badly or dawdling and not getting business done early, then we may as well keep him.
What would you do with Bruno though? Would you take this offer of£80m or do you think something more is needed? Or do you think that we should keep him, at least for now?
Bruno Fernandes is linked with a move to Al-Hilal | Bruno Fernandes: Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)