Ruben Amorim does not intend to have Bruno Fernandes leave Manchester United this summer.
This season, Fernandes was the striking executor of United, because the Red Devils struggled in the Premier League, but brought themselves about to go to the Europa League final.
The Portugal International scored twice in last week's 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the first stage of the semi-final of United with the Basque club.
The 30-year-old, however, is a target for Al-Hilal, with superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema who have been under the names for the past two years to sign for Saudi Pro League clubs.
But Amorim made clear the intention of United when it comes to the future of their captain.
“Our idea did not change,” he said before he was confronted against Bilbao in Old Trafford on Thursday.
“We want to keep the best players – and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world. We want Bruno here.
“It's easy to understand [his importance] – Not only because of the figures, but also the way he plays and the importance he has here for five years, “Amorim added.
“It is normal that many clubs want a player like Bruno. He is a leader and he is the captain, so he is really important. He is a top player, we need top players.”
This season Fernandes has created 145 opportunities in all competitions, without no player in Europe's top five competitions being able to improve that count.
He scored 19 goals and registered 16 assists. Only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (56) was directly involved in more goals for a Premier League side in all competitions this season.
During his career, Fernandes scored 27 goals in the Europa League, with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (34) and Radamel Falcao (30).
Despite their sad Premier League form, United is assessed as favorites to win the Europa League through the OPTA -SUPERCOMPUTER (51%).
“If you look at our team, we cannot say today what will happen,” says Amorim, who wants to become the first manager to reach a major European final in his first season to lead an English club since Thomas Tuchel with Chelsea in the Champions League of 2020-21.
“There are a few teams in every competition that can understand that the game will be like this and can change a little.
“We have to face the game as another game. I feel that we have to score to go to the next round. That is how we will approach the game. We will have to suffer a little to go to the final, and we are ready to suffer.”
United is undefeated in their 13 Europa League matches this season (W8 D5), and could only be the seventh side to reach the final of the competition without losing a match on the way, after Benfica (2013-14), Chelsea (2018-19), Inter (2019-20), Villarreal (2020-21), EINTENDRACTION (2023-22).
Amorim, however, repeated that even European success and qualification for the Champions League would not make up for the hopige league campaign of United.
“For me, at that time and you look at the Premier League, we are the worst team because I arrived in terms of results. That is my idea. At the end of the season we can be the worst team in the Premier League history with a European title,” he said.
“We know that this season will be disappointing.