“I admire him a lot, I was sad Man United didn’t sign him” Fernandes on Arsenal star
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted he was disappointed that Declan Rice ended up joining Arsenal instead of moving to Old Trafford, saying he believes the midfielder would have been an ideal signing for the club.
Speaking after winning the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award, Fernandes said:
“I admire him a lot… I always thought Rice was a player who could play for Man United. I was really sad when he chose to go to Arsenal. I always thought he would be a perfect fit for our club.”
Fernandes went on to praise Rice’s quality and mentality, highlighting his consistency and impact since arriving in the Premier League spotlight. He also suggested Rice’s performances make him one of the standout midfielders in England.
Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for a club-record fee and has since become a key figure under Mikel Arteta, helping transform their midfield and title ambitions.
