'I turned down offer to leave Man Utd in summer'
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes says he could have left the club last summer.
The 30-year-old was United's hero on Thursday night, scoring a hat-trick as they beat Real Sociedad to move into a Europa League quarter-final with Lyon.
He was also singled out for praise by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in an interview with BBC Sport on Monday.
But Fernandes said there had been an offer to sign him in the summer and he'd held talks with the club about his future.
"I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave," he said. "We talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying.
"They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not. I spoke at the time with (Erik) Ten Hag also.
"He was very clear with me, the club was very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild. I thought that we could be successful."
The Portugal international now has 15 goals this season. None of his team-mates have got into double figures.
In a campaign that has been bad enough for United, who are 14th in the Premier League and on the brink of their worst domestic campaign since the 1973-74 relegation season, it is not hard to imagine the strife they would have been in had talks with Fernandes in the summer taken a different turn amid interest from Bayern Munich among others.
After Ten Hag was sacked in October, Fernandes' fellow countryman Ruben Amorim came in as replacement - but a bleak situation has got no better.
Last month legendary former captain Roy Keane blasted Fernandes, saying "talent is not enough" and that he was not "a fighter".
Even Amorim, in the wake of Fernandes' Europa League exploits said his captain needs to "trust" his team-mates more.
"Roy Keane was an amazing captain for the club, one of the best as everyone says," said Fernandes.
"I didn't have the chance to see much from him, only the last few years, but he was a great player that won everything for the club. He's massively respected from everyone and has all my respect.
"He has to give his opinion in a programme and this is what he thinks about me.
"I don't want to copy anyone. I try to be the best captain that I can for my team-mates and help everyone in the best way I know."
'We can't relax at this club'
The Europa League remains a route back into the Champions League for United despite their poor season.
Fernandes, who is under contract until 2027, says he wants to stay at Old Trafford for as long as they are competing for trophies.
He said: "We can't relax at this club. We need to prove ourselves every day in training and every day that we have a game.
"I'm in the same boat as my team-mates. It doesn't matter how much you do, how much you score, how much you assist... It's about the team.
"I'm very happy at the club. Obviously, I want to win trophies. I want to be in the biggest competitions, I want to fight for the big trophies. That's what I said to the club. That's what the club said to me that they want to do."
Ratcliffe said this week some players he has inherited are "not good enough" and "overpaid".
Midfielder Casemiro, striker Rasmus Hojlund, goalkeeper Andre Onana, and wingers Antony and Jadon Sancho - who are on loan at other clubs - were namechecked by the billionaire in an interview with BBC Sport.
Fernandes said: "I don't think any player likes to hear criticism or things that are talked about to you, that you're not good enough or you're overpaid or whatever.
"But everyone has their own contract. The club agrees to the contracts and it's about proving that you can be important for the club."
Topics
-
I turned down offer to leave Man Utd in summer - Fernandes
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes says he could have left the club last summer.BBC News - 4h -
Man Utd to leave Old Trafford for new stadium
Manchester United have officially announced plans to leave Old Trafford, their home for more than 100 years, and move into a new stadium.ESPN - 2d -
Bruno Fernandes hat-trick keeps Man Utd’s unlikely title bid rolling
Manchester United’s hopes of a trophy and, with it the riches of Champions League qualification, live on in this most turbulent campaign after another match-winning turn from their man for all ...Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Why Dan and Andrea Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers
UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley and his wife Andrea said there were many reasons why they declined an offer to coach the NBA team.CBS News - 4d -
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned down Blue Jays extension offer of more than $500 million (with deferrals): Report
The Blue Jays star apparently wanted more present-day money than Shohei Ohtani.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Larry Summers: Odds of a recession 'close to 50/50'
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Monday that the odds of a recession are “close to 50/50.” “I told [Kasie Hunt] @CNN today, I think there is a real possibility of a recession,” Summers ...The Hill - 3d -
Exclusive: Man United eyeing transfer of €40m wonderkid who wants to leave his current club
Manchester United are among a long list of clubs eyeing up the potential €40m transfer of Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling this summer, CaughtOffside understands.Dibling has caught the eye for ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Amorim 'in a hurry' to win trophies at Man Utd
Amorim has said he is "in a hurry" to win trophies at Man United while also admitting that the club heirachy recognise he needs time to deliver successESPN - 23h -
Ruben Amorim makes “losing our minds” claim as he discusses his Man United plan
It’s not been an easy start to life at Man Utd for Amorim, who inherited a struggling side from Erik ten Hag when he moved over from Sporting Lisbon earlier this season.Amorim did impressive work ...Yahoo Sports - 3h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 6m -
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Free agent LB Eric Wilson leaves Packers to sign with Vikings
Free agent linebacker Eric Wilson is leaving the Packers to sign a two-year deal with the rival Vikings.Yahoo Sports - 10m
More in Sports
-
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 6m -
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Free agent LB Eric Wilson leaves Packers to sign with Vikings
Free agent linebacker Eric Wilson is leaving the Packers to sign a two-year deal with the rival Vikings.Yahoo Sports - 10m