I think Fernandes wants to stay: Amorim

HONG KONG:

Ruben Amorim said Friday he believes captain Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid speculation about a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Fernandes started United’s match against Hong Kong as they came from behind to win 3-1, with teenage substitute Chido Obi scoring twice.

Manager Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but led United to a dismal 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, has plenty to ponder during the post-season break.

Foremost among his concerns is the future of key man Fernandes, who is reportedly weighing up a big-money move to Al Hilal.

Asked after the victory if that was the 30-year-old Fernandes’s last appearance in a United shirt, Amorim replied: “I don’t think so, I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so.

“He sees us taking some actions and to change all the things … I think he wants to stay.”

Amorim added of his fellow Portuguese: “I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay.”

Beaten and booed off in Malaysia on Wednesday, United were underwhelming in the first half of their second post-season friendly as they brought the curtain down on a poor campaign.

Having fallen behind to a soft Hong Kong goal, Obi struck with a smart turn and finish five minutes after the break and again with a glancing header on 82 minutes.

Ayden Heaven scored with a late header as United ended their Asia trip on a winning note. Portugal international Fernandes had a bright first half at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium, which was about 85 percent full, before going off.