Bruno Fernandes makes shock admission about Man Utd future amid Saudi Pro League transfer talk immediately after defeat to Tottenham in Europa League final

The Portugal international had been hoping to get his hands on more major silverware as captain of the Red Devils. He did, however, see Tottenham battle their way to a continental crown at San Mames in Bilbao.

Fernandes had been the subject of transfer talk prior to United enduring another painful setback in what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for all concerned. He has been linked with Real Madrid and teams in the Saudi Pro League.

The 30-year-old playmaker is tied to a contract until at least 2027, with the option for a further 12-month extension beyond that point, and insists that he will only leave Old Trafford if United decide that funds are required from sales.

Fernandes told reporters when asked about his future immediately after missing out on another trophy: “I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go. I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club to great days.

“In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way. If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cash in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”

While vowing to stick around for 2025-26, Fernandes is hoping that fellow countryman Ruben Amorim will be given the chance to oversee another rebuild despite picking up just 15 wins from his 41 games as United manager.

The Red Devils’ skipper said when asked if he has a coaching message for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s ownership group: “It’s not my decision, but I do think the manager is the right one.

“I don’t think that it will be a better person to come into the job and to do the job. I know it’s difficult to understand that, it’s difficult to see that, but I still do think that he’s the right man to lead the club.

“I do think that obviously the club is in a situation where it’s easier to get a different one in because the results haven’t been there. But as my other team-mates said, and I repeat myself, I do think he’s the right man.”

United, who sit 16th in the Premier League table and have missed out on European qualification for 2025-26, have one more fixture to take in this term - at home to top-five hopefuls Aston Villa on Sunday. They will then head to the Far East for a couple of post-season friendly dates.