Rio Ferdinand has admitted he might have taken the plunge and departed Manchester United this summer had he been in Bruno Fernandes’ position—tempted by the eye-watering riches on offer from Saudi Arabia.Al-Hilal made Fernandes their top target during the first transfer window of the summer, hoping to lure the Portuguese star to the Middle East ahead of the Club World Cup.The Saudi club put forward a staggering offer: a tax-free salary nearing 700 thousand euros per week, plus bonuses. Manchester United stood to pocket around 100 million from the deal, yet Fernandes turned down the move, opting instead to remain at Old Trafford.Fernandes reveals why he refused Al HilalBy joining Al-Hilal, Fernandes would have tripled his current wages. Reflecting on the midfielder’s decision, Ferdinand confessed it would’ve been a tough call for him, but he praised the playmaker for staying true to United.”If I was him, I think I’d have found it difficult to say no. I’ve got to be honest,” the former United centre-back told The Mirror. “The one thing it says to me, there’s a loyalty. And I think that word gets banded about quite a lot, but we don’t really see it often from the club’s point of view and the players. And listen, I understand it’s a business. But I think he looks at this as pure, ‘I’ve got unfinished business at United. There’s stuff I want to do here. Yes, I’ve been paid well here. The fans love me.’ But I think he’s in the game of wanting to give back after all he’s received. So I’ve got nothing but respect for him. I would have understood him leaving if he left, 100 per cent.”🚨🗣️ Rio Ferdinand on Bruno rejecting Al-Hilal: “If I was him, I think I’d have found it difficult to say no. I’ve got to be honest. The one thing it says to me, there’s a loyalty. And I think that word gets banded about quite a lot, but we don’t really see it often from the… pic.twitter.com/8D69RcZQ3y— UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) June 17, 2025 During Al-Hilal’s push to secure the signing, Mail Sport revealed that Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, spent three days at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, where he held direct negotiations with club representatives.##NAJAVA_MECA_8983012##
