Manchester United’s star player, Bruno Fernandes, expressed his disappointment at Declan Rice‘s decision to join Arsenal instead of moving to Manchester United.
Since Rice’s arrival at Arsenal in 2023, he has been instrumental in the club’s resurgence, contributing to their push for the Premier League title and leading them to the Champions League final.
Prior to his transfer to Mikel Arteta’s team, Rice received interest from multiple clubs, particularly in Europe and the Premier League, and Fernandes had hoped he would join him at Old Trafford.
While speaking on JoelBeyaTV’s YouTube channel, Fernandes shared, “Honestly, I really admire him as a person. We trained together in the Algarve, and I got to know him well. We were all aware of his abilities during his time at West Ham, and I always believed he was a player suited for Manchester United.”
“It was disappointing when he opted for Arsenal. I’m not sure if there was a genuine opportunity for him to come to Manchester United, but I always believed he would fit our club perfectly, not only for his skills but also for his character. His professionalism and attitude have impressed me this season, even though he’s playing a slightly different role now.”
“Rice’s role at Arsenal is unique; he doesn’t need to be the primary assister or goal-scorer, as the demands of his position vary from what we expect at Manchester United. While we can’t directly compare our styles of play, he has certainly been among the standout performers in the Premier League this season.”
Fernandes secured the Football Writers Player of the Year award, leading the league with 19 assists this term.
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With two matches remaining, Fernandes has a chance to match or surpass Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with 20 assists and potentially set a new Premier League record.
Upon receiving the award, Fernandes acknowledged Rice’s impressive season, stating, “I’m thrilled to win the FWA Player of the Year award, but Declan truly deserved it if he had won. Choosing the best player can be subjective, and statistics do play a significant role in the decision-making process.”
“I’ve had a fantastic season and added a lot to my game, but for Declan, it’s trickier because he plays in a deeper position. Nonetheless, he is an exceptional player, and had he won the award, I would have congratulated him, just as I did when he reached the Champions League final.”