Bruno Fernandes has revealed it was a poignant message from his wife that stopped him leaving Manchester United last yr.
The United captain has enjoyed an exceptional season at Old Trafford, within the running for the Player of the Season award and just three assists away from setting a brand new Premier League assist record.
However the 31-year-old was on the point of leaving the club at the tip of last season when Saudi side Al-Hilal were prepared to pay £100million and triple his salary to prise him away from Manchester.
United were prepared to let their skipper go but after consulting his family, the Portugal international decided to remain.
Fernandes has been United’s best piece of business of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era but has won just two trophies during his time on the club, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
As he mulled over his future last yr, it was his wife Ana questioning whether he had achieved all he wanted on the club that helped determine things.
‘I stayed because I believed I still had something that I can provide back to the club,’ Fernandes told United legend Wayne Rooney in an interview for BBC Sport.
‘Obviously the Saudi situation, with the cash… there was lots. The great thing I even have in my family is that my wife is pretty right down to earth like me.
‘We’re very aware that we don’t need to be the richest person on the planet. We just need to be those which have achieved the dreams they’d and live life with their kids and attempting to be as successful as possible.
‘The words of my wife were like, “have you ever achieved your dreams? Have you ever achieved all the things you wanted?”
‘And that small thing she said made me understand that she’s on the identical page as me. Let’s keep trying and see where this takes me.’
United are heading in the right direction to complete third and return to the Champions League next season. Fernandes’ future stays uncertain ahead of a pivotal summer transfer window with only one yr left on his current contract – a deal that features an option of an extra 12 months.
Fernandes believes there continues to be time to challenge for those major honours.
‘I need to win the Premier League,’ he said. ‘I need to win the Champions League. I never hide from that.’
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