BREAKING: Paul Scholes urges Manchester United to accept Al-Hilal’s £100m bid for Bruno Fernandes as Ruben Amorim struggles to find a worthy replacement ahead of the new season

In a seismic shift that could redefine Manchester United’s future, club legend Paul Scholes has publicly urged the Red Devils to accept a jaw-dropping £100 million bid from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal for captain Bruno Fernandes. The former midfield maestro insists the time has come to “take the money and rebuild,” igniting fierce debate across fan circles and pundit platforms.

Scholes made the remarks during a candid appearance on a morning football program, where he assessed the looming crisis at Old Trafford. Speaking with characteristic bluntness, the ex-England international suggested that United must look beyond emotional attachment and make a business decision. “If the player wants to go and the offer is on the table, £100 million is an incredible sum. Bruno has done a great job here, but maybe it’s time for a fresh start — for both him and the club,” Scholes said.

Fernandes, who joined Manchester United in January 2020, has been a transformative figure for the team, leading by example through turbulent seasons, managerial changes, and squad overhauls. His relentless work rate, vision, and goal contributions have made him a fan favorite. Yet, as Scholes pointed out, no player is bigger than the club — especially at a time when United desperately need restructuring.

The Portuguese midfielder is reportedly open to the Al-Hilal move and has asked his agent to explore the offer seriously. Sources suggest the Saudi side is ready to make Fernandes one of the best-paid players in the world — a tempting prospect for a player approaching the latter half of his career. If the deal goes through, it would be one of the most high-profile Premier League exits to the Saudi Pro League so far.

Behind the scenes, Manchester United’s hierarchy is said to be divided. While some board members see the offer as too good to refuse, others are wary of the fan backlash and the vacuum Fernandes’ departure would create in the dressing room. As club captain, Bruno has not only contributed on the pitch but has also served as the emotional heartbeat of a struggling squad.

Adding complexity to the situation is United’s ongoing pursuit of Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim as a possible successor to Erik ten Hag. Ironically, Amorim once coached Fernandes in Portugal and may now inherit a squad without its most influential player. According to reports from Lisbon, Amorim is already struggling to identify a suitable Fernandes replacement in the market.

A Sporting insider told local media, “Bruno Fernandes is not just a player — he’s a presence. Amorim knows this more than anyone. If he joins Manchester United and Bruno leaves before he arrives, he’ll have a leadership crisis on his hands before even stepping onto the training ground.”

Amorim is believed to be cautious about accepting the United role under such uncertainty. The club’s future direction remains unclear, with several senior players likely to depart, no sporting director confirmed, and instability looming. Fernandes’ sale would represent not just a tactical shift, but an emotional and structural one too.

Meanwhile, United fans are torn. Some see the proposed sale as a betrayal of everything Fernandes has given to the club. Others, however, echo Scholes’ sentiments and believe it’s a rare opportunity to cash in and reset. “Selling your captain for a payday in Saudi Arabia just shows how lost we are,” tweeted one lifelong supporter. But another responded, “Bruno carried us for years. Time to build something sustainable — starting from scratch if we must.”

Social media is ablaze with opinions, polls, and predictions. Fan groups are organizing online petitions urging the club to reject the offer. Yet, there is a growing faction that welcomes the chance to see a new-look United, driven by youth, discipline, and tactical cohesion — values Amorim is known to instill.

The next few days are crucial. Neither Manchester United nor Al-Hilal have made any official statements. However, insiders claim that negotiations are at an advanced stage and that United are internally reviewing the commercial and footballing implications of such a monumental transfer.

Should the deal go through, it would mark the end of a remarkable chapter for Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford. Arriving in 2020 when the club was in dire need of creativity, he immediately took the Premier League by storm and became a talisman for a club in transition. Letting him go would not just be a financial move — it would be symbolic of a turning point.

Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, remains under the microscope. If he takes over United amid this chaos, his honeymoon period will be short-lived. The club and fans will expect immediate results, even without their most influential player on the pitch. Whether he can fill that void — with a new signing or by reshaping the team’s identity — remains to be seen.

This saga also reinforces the growing influence of the Saudi Pro League, which continues to attract top European stars with astronomical salaries and ambitions to grow the region’s footballing pedigree. If Bruno accepts Al-Hilal’s offer, it will be yet another feather in the Saudi league’s cap — and a bitter pill for Premier League traditionalists to swallow.

For United, the transfer window is becoming more than just a reshuffle — it’s now a defining period that could shape the club’s trajectory for the next five years. Will they sell their captain, embrace the rebuild, and usher in a new era under Amorim? Or will they dig in, hold onto their star, and delay the inevitable transition?

Paul Scholes’ statement may go down in history as the spark that lit the fuse. And as it stands, all eyes are on Manchester United’s boardroom. One bold decision could change everything.