Bruno Fernandes says he had “concrete offers” to leave Manchester United before deciding to extend his contract at the club.
Fernandes has signed a one-year extension, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of another year.
But the Portugal midfielder has revealed that, before making the decision to stay, there was a possibility he could have left the club this summer.
“This vote of confidence from the club was very important for me,” Fernandes told ESPN Brasil’s Thiago D’Amaral.
“Even because I was approached [by other clubs], the club was aware that there was a possibility of me leaving, I had concrete offers.
“But the club showed that it needed me, that it was at a time of change and that they wanted to do things differently.”
Fernandes’ existing deal, agreed in April 2022, was due to expire in 2026.
Made captain by manager Erik ten Hag last summer, the 29-year-old says he’s hopeful of adding to his winners’ medals in the FA Cup and League Cup following changes made to United’s structure under new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“I believe there is a dream future at this club with the changes that are taking place,” added Fernandes.
“That’s why I chose to stay. There were other directions that would have been interesting for me, other expectations. But I feel good here, I feel loved and I feel that the club has been very respectful of me.”
Fernandes has been a success at United since arriving from Portugal’s Sporting CP in January 2020, but the team’s success has been limited to domestic cup competitions.
In the same time he’s seen international teammates Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva win Premier League titles and the Champions League at Manchester City, but after talks with club bosses including new sporting director Dan Ashworth, he says he’s convinced United can do the same.
“From my discussions with the football leadership and manager, it is clear how determined everyone is to fight for major trophies in the years ahead,” he said in a club statement. “I can see how positive the future is going to be and I am relishing leading this team forward.”
