Lagos, Nigeria – Bruno Fernandes don clear am say e no go discuss im future with anybody until after next year World Cup. Dis 31-year-old Manchester United captain go make im 300th appearance for the Red Devils on Saturday, as dem dey fight to end their three home losses against Brighton.
Na serious achievement wey make sense, considering say na only 17 games Fernandes don miss since e join from Sporting for £47 million back in January 2020 – and only three of dem na because of injury or illness! Na wah!
Dis Portuguese player wey sabi rejected huge offer from Al-Hilal wey dey Saudi Arabia back during summer, and e still dismiss other interest from Saudi league and Europe. E sabi say dem rumors no go stop anytime soon, Omo! But as im talk am, e no wan jam anybody about am right now.
“In my mind, I dey very okay for here. I never fulfill all my dreams at the club,” na wetin Fernandes talk. “I no fit talk for the club. I don see plenty people dey talk say I don agree to go already next season. If na so e happen, na no be for my ear.”
Im agent dey wait, sabi say dem go discuss matters after the World Cup. “E go be after the World Cup before I go talk to anybody.” Fernandes don talk to plenty people before about Al-Hilal interest. E don meet with chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, plus im manager Ruben Amorim and fellow Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo. All of dem sabi say the money wey dey on the table be mad one.
But no be say anybody dey push am waka. Amorim still dey encourage am, as e talk say, “We wan sign more players to help you build a better team.” E be like say Fernandes no dey rush anywhere any time soon.
“My family dey very comfortable here,” im continue. “My kids love school, and everything dey sweet for us. Dis house wey we get, e dey feel like home pass the one wey we get for Portugal.” E no lie! Who no like sweet life?
Even after United finally break their winless streak against Liverpool, Fernandes dey out for Carrington training ground, even when heavy rain dey fall. E no fit hold back im peeps, e dey serious about supporting dem like strong padi.
“I no fit lie, I want make people dey talk good things about me, but wetin matter pass na team achievements!” Im dey crave trophies, as he believe say na wetin dey miss since e join United. “I want to show wetin I fit do for the club, no just my individual record.”
Security matter dey surround United’s recruitment strategy, wey don dey face heavy criticism for years. Fernandes insist say ability no be enough to wear the Manchester United jersey if you dey no get strong character.
“We need to sign big characters for this club. Good players dey, but e no go fit carry weight of pressure wey dey here. If dem sign players wey dey aware of the dimensions wey dey on top this club, dem fit gel well.” Talk true!
As United dey build new squad, Fernandes dey look to players like Matheus Cunha. “E get that vibe wey say ‘Give me the ball, I want to play.’ We dey hope to see dis kin power.”
Dem dey call Fernandes and him young padi Kobbie Mainoo dey compete for midfield spot, but e no see am like competition at all. “E get different approach wey we dey bring to the team, and that one be good.” Na wetin Fernandes yarn!
Dem don point out say Fernandes dey prepare for coaching role after him retirement, as e dey enjoy helping players grow. “I like dat side of football,” he talk. “E go sweet me to see say my influence don help dem.”
As e dey enjoy him milestone of 300 games for United, Fernandes go keep dey focus on team efforts to win trophies. “I no go rest until I see trophies around my neck,” he conclude, as him dey sure sey bigger achievements dey come for United fan dem.
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