Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has turned down a highly lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, choosing instead to remain at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese midfielder had reportedly given serious consideration to the proposal in recent days. The deal from Al-Hilal would have more than doubled his current wages at United, where he already ranks among the club’s top earners.

After consulting with his family, Fernandes ultimately decided against the move and has formally communicated his decision to Al-Hilal.

The 30-year-old is expected to address the matter publicly later today during a press conference in Germany ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League semi-final clash on Wednesday.

Manchester United are said to be pleased by Fernandes’ decision to stay. The news follows recent comments by Portugal head coach Ruben Amorim, who expressed confidence last Friday that Fernandes would remain at the Premier League side.

Although Al-Hilal never submitted a formal bid to Manchester United, reports suggested they were preparing an offer between £80 million and £100 million for the midfielder, with hopes of securing him in time for this month’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Fernandes, who joined United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for £47 million, has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for the club, cementing his status as a key figure in the squad.

Reacting to the news, former United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville remarked that the club might not have lost out financially had the deal gone through, but praised Fernandes’ commitment.

“He’s so important. The fact that he wants to stay, the fact that he wants to go through this and come out the other side — because it would have been easy for him to say, ‘I’m done here’ — will endear him to Manchester United fans even more,” Neville said.

“To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things,’ says a lot about him as a person and a character. The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”

With Fernandes opting to stay, it remains unclear whether Al-Hilal will shift focus to alternative targets in the ongoing transfer window.