Bruno Fernandes says he received “concrete offers” to leave Manchester United before deciding to renew his contract at the club.
Fernandes has signed a one-year extension, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option for a further year.
But the Portuguese midfielder has revealed that before he made the decision to stay, there was a possibility he could leave the club this summer.
“This vote of confidence from the club was very important for me,” Fernandes told ESPN Brasil's Thiago D'Amaral.
“Even because he approached me [by other clubs]The club was aware that there was a possibility of my departure, they had concrete offers.
“But the club showed that it needed me, that it was in a moment of change and that it wanted to do things differently.”
Fernandes' existing contract, agreed in April 2022, was due to expire in 2026.
Appointed captain by manager Erik ten Hag last summer, the 29-year-old says he is hopeful of adding more FA Cup and League Cup winners' medals following changes made to United's structure under new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“I think there is a dream future at this club with the changes that are taking place,” Fernandes added.
“That's why I chose to stay. There were other directions that would have been interesting to me, other expectations. But I feel good here, I feel loved and I feel that the club has been very respectful towards me.”
Fernandes has enjoyed success at United since joining from Portugal's Sporting CP in January 2020, but the team's success has been limited to domestic cup competitions.
At the same time, he has watched international team-mates Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva win Premier League and Champions League titles at Manchester City but after speaking to club chiefs, including new sporting director Dan Ashworth, he says he is convinced United can do the same.
“From my discussions with the club's management and manager, it is clear that everyone is determined to fight for major trophies in the coming years,” he said in a club statement. “I see the future as positive and I look forward to leading this team forward.”
