Ivan Toney says Bruno Fernandes "obviously hasn't seen" the Saudi Pro League, with the Manchester United captain snubbing a lucrative transfer offer.

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• Portuguese playmaker wants to stay in Europe
• Toney has defended standard in the Middle East
• Backing Mbeumo to be a success at Old Trafford

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Hilal were reportedly prepared to pay Portuguese playmaker Fernandes £700,000-a-week if he completed a move to the Middle East, with a £100 million ($135m) fee going to United if they agreed to part with their talismanic skipper.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Fernandes has, however, stated he wants to continue playing in Europe. He said when explaining his decision to turn down a stunning contract proposal: "I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of it."

• WHAT IVAN TONEY SAID

  Toney made his own move from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia when leaving Brentford for Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 and has told of Fernandes passing up the chance to join him in a division that can be unfairly written off: "That's his decision. He maybe thinks it's different to me.

  "He obviously hasn't seen the league. The standard is high. I always say this, people always judge it on not seeing it, you know? And you have to see it first hand to have your own opinion. If people went there and went to some games, they'd soon realise. I know it's a good standard. You would never knock it once you've been there. It is tough."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  As he prepares to remain at Old Trafford, Fernandes may soon be joined by Toney’s former Brentford team-mate Bryan Mbeumo. The England striker said of another big-money deal that United are reportedly lining up: "He scores goals, he knows where to put the ball for other players. He's got a similar penalty technique [to me]. He is a top, top player and he deserves to play for top, top clubs."

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Category: News