Ruben Amorim does not believe Bruno Fernandes has played his last game for Manchester United

HONG KONG – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes captain Bruno Fernandes will remain with the club. After United’s 3-1 friendly win over Hong Kong on May 30, Amorim expressed confidence that Fernandes will stay at Old Trafford.

The game at Hong Kong Stadium was played amid swirling talk that Saudi Pro-League club Al-Hilal are prepared to splash out around £100 million (S$173.7 million) for the Portuguese midfielder.

Asked at a press conference if it was Fernandes’ last game in a United jersey, Amorim said: “I don’t think so. I don’t know for sure. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things.

“He sees us (the club) taking some actions and to change all the things... 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.

“The club can find other ways to make money. The feeling I get is that he wants to continue for sure with Man United, but you never know.”

Following their season-ending 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Fernandes indicated that the club might sell him for financial reasons.

Amorim recognised the 30-year-old had been “so frustrated” during numerous matches in a disastrous season that saw them finish 15th – their worst-ever English Premier League performance.

“But he knows what we are doing,” the United boss added.

“Of course, I’m the manager. I’m the coach, but sometimes it’s a decision of the player. But he’s really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world.”

United trailed at half-time against Hong Kong after a 19th-minute goal from Juninho, but Chido Obi scored shortly after the break and in the 82nd minute. Ayden Heaven then struck in the 94th minute.

The victory at least salvaged something positive after United had been booed for their performance in a 1-0 loss to the Asean All-Stars in Malaysia.

They were also ridiculed for an open-top bus parade in Kuala Lumpur. But Amorim still deemed the Asian tour a success.

“We have a clear idea of what we want,” he said. “Of course, we are a little bit limited, we cannot do everything in one summer, but we have a clear picture of what we want.”

On player movements, defender Harry Maguire has admitted that “a lot of players” will be shown the door after their horrible season.

“We will make a lot of changes in the summer. There will be a lot of players who leave and hopefully, a lot will come in,” he said.

“And that’s down to the club to make sure they get that right.” REUTERS, AFP