Luke Littler sends clear message to Man Utd over Bruno Fernandes sale as he reveals who he’d swap star for
Luke Littler’s Bold Stance on Bruno Fernandes’ Potential Manchester United Exit
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and lifelong Manchester United fan, has sent a resounding message to his beloved club regarding the rumored £100 million transfer of captain Bruno Fernandes to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. In a talkSPORT interview following his Premier League Darts final loss to Luke Humphries on May 29, 2025, Littler was asked about hypothetical swap deals for Fernandes involving 11 global football stars. The world champion emphatically rejected every option, saying “No” to each name, placing Fernandes above the likes of Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Kevin De Bruyne, Nicolo Barella, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Xavi Simons, Declan Rice, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham, per *The Irish Sun*. When pressed with, “Oh come on, he’s not that good!” Littler stood firm, underscoring his belief in Fernandes’ unmatched value to United.
Littler’s loyalty to Fernandes, whom he’s previously called his favorite United player on *The Overlap*, reflects his deep connection to the club. Earlier in 2025, after United’s Europa League final loss to Tottenham, Littler labeled a potential Fernandes exit a “shambles,” telling *Manchester Evening News*, “Everyone knows financially what it’s done to us.” His stance aligns with former United star Danny Murphy, who warned in the *Daily Mail* that selling Fernandes would be “devastating,” given his 85 goals and 75 assists in 278 appearances since joining in 2020. Fernandes’ leadership, highlighted by his offer to fund staff benefits for the 2024 FA Cup final, per *GB News*, further cements his importance.
The Saudi interest, led by Al-Hilal’s £200 million three-year package, including a tax-free £700,000 weekly wage, has intensified speculation, with Fernandes’ agent meeting club officials in Riyadh, per *Daily Mail*. Despite this, Littler’s rejection of swaps with younger, high-value stars like Bellingham (£100m+) and Wirtz (£126m) signals his belief that no one matches Fernandes’ impact. Fans on X mocked Littler’s unwavering loyalty, with @SunManCity noting his refusal to entertain any trade, but others, like @UnitedInFocus, praised his passion, echoing Roy Keane’s critique of Fernandes’ emotional captaincy as a strength.
As United face a pivotal summer under Ruben Amorim, with potential signings like Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, per *FootballInsider247*, Littler’s message is clear: Fernandes is irreplaceable. Whether United heed their superfan’s plea amid financial pressures and a squad rebuild remains to be seen, but Littler’s voice adds a fervent fan perspective to the debate.
