Manager says the player had permission from the club before giving interview
Ruben Amorim has defender captain Bruno Fernandes’ comments about Manchester United, saying they were not an affront to the club.
In an interview with Canal 11, Fernandes accused the club of not valuing loyalty, and said he was “hurt” because they were willing to discard him in the summer.
A £100m offer for the player was made by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with substantial financial rewards for the player, but Fernandes still felt he had unfinished business at the club and United boss Amorim wanted him to stay. The captain also said he had previously had other offers to leave but chose the club instead.
“At one point I was going to leave – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season,” Fernandes said. “I decided to stay not only for family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club. The conversation with the coach also made me stay.
“But from the club I felt it was, ‘If you go it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting me, it makes me sad because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise me for. I’m always available for every match, I always play, whether well or badly. I give my maximum.”
Amorim said: “The difference is that he spoke with the club before that interview and he said what is his feeling.
“Of course, we can avoid these things because we already know the noise, but he talked with the board and I think everything is clear.”
Further in his interview, Fernandes criticised unnamed teammates who he felt were not playing for the badge like he was.
“You look around you and see players who don’t value the club as much as you do and who don’t defend the club as much,” Fernandes said. “That makes you sad.”
Asked about his captain’s comments, Amorim said: “I don’t know if it’s fair. He just spoke about what his feelings are and he has to answer to that. It’s not me.
“I think he is an example that he gives everything. He puts everything on the line in every training, in every match.
“In that department he’s special, so I think he has that feeling we need to step up and to have also that feeling, so we need to ask him, because I think he’s a big example in the group.”
