Spurs came in for Fernandes before he was sold by Sporting to United in 2020.
He told Amazon Prime: : "It all started in the summer. Tottenham were very interested in me, I met with them, everything was ready, but Sporting decided not to sell me.
"President (Federico) Varandas made me very sad. We talked about it later, once the English transfer window closed, but the situation changed in January. After the sales of Raphinha and Bas Dost, Sporting still had financial difficulties: they had to sell me, and United's offer arrived."
Fernandes then recalled: "I was in my room changing and my wife had tears in her eyes. She was asking me what was happening, if something was wrong. I couldn't even talk to her because for me it was like living a dream.
"Manchester United has always been my favorite club. Receiving that call six months after I thought it was impossible, finding out that the offer was coming from the team of my dreams, was incredible."