Such is his loyalty to one of Manchester United’s Premier League rivals, the La Liga ace would rebuff even the Red Devils’ advances should they come calling at some point down the line.
And, worry not Manchester United fans, this is a point the former West Ham man is making in purely hypothetical terms.
The standards may have dropped alarmingly at Old Trafford in recent seasons – a dreadful start to the season showing the huge amount of work Ineos have to do to offset the damage of the Glazer era – but Pablo Fornals is still unlikely to register on United’s radar any time soon.
In and out of the Real Betis team these days, this is not how Fornals’ career was supposed to go when he forced his way into the Spain team and secured a £24 million move to West Ham back in 2019.
Fornals has not represented his country in three years. West Ham took a £17 million loss, meanwhile, when selling the 28-year-old to Betis in January.
But while Fornals might have fallen short of the potential he showed as an up-and-coming playmaker at Malaga and Villarreal, you will not find the Conference League winner saying a single bad word about his beloved old employers.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Pablo Fornals explains why he would never join Manchester United
Speaking to The Athletic, Fornals even insists that – such is his adoration for all things West Ham – not even the lure of Manchester United could convince him to return to England.
“I had interest from another Premier League team, but there’s no way I could join another club in England,” Fornals explains. “It would feel weird playing against the club I love. It’s easier to live in London than other European countries.
“But, if it’s not, West Ham then there’s no chance [of me returning to the UK]. It could be Manchester City, or Manchester United… I can’t do it.
“I can’t picture myself scoring or celebrating against West Ham.”
Fornals won four of his 11 meetings with Man United during his time at the London Stadium.
He came off the bench in the dying stages of West Ham’s 2-0 win over a poor Erik ten Hag side just before Christmas back in 2023, a cameo appearance which would prove to be one of his last in that claret and blue shirt.
10 months on, Ten Hag’s future is once again the subject of much discussion amid reports Man United could contact ex-Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel for the second time in a matter of months.
Wayne Rooney delighted with ‘changes’ at Man United
United legend Wayne Rooney would not be drawn on whether or not he feels the time is up for the Dutchman after Sunday’s drab 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.
Rooney does feel more positive about the changes made at Man United by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. The former Red Devils captain visited the training ground recently and – after Rio Ferdinand and even Cristiano Ronaldo lauded the work done by Ineos – he feels that things are certainly heading in the right direction.
Well, off the pitch at least.
“It depends what happens over the next year or two,” Rooney said when asked if Man United can challenge for the title in the coming seasons. “I think, in Jim Ratcliffe and Dan Ashworth, they have got a good group of people in there.
“I believe, and I think, slowly but surely there are changes happening at that football club.
“I was there last week seeing the changes happening at the training ground. You are seeing small changes which eventually will help the football club.
“You hope they get it right. They have brought some good men in to help.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
