Fernandes: ‘I Was Sad When He Chose Arsenal'

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed he was disappointed to see Declan Rice join Arsenal.

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Fernandes has enjoyed one of his best seasons at Old Trafford since his move in January 2020, and with 19 assists in the Premier League, the Portuguese is just two assists away from breaking Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's single-season assist record.

He played a crucial role in helping Man Utd return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season, and was awarded the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award.

Fernandes beat Arsenal star Declan Rice to the award, and in an interview with JoelBeyaTV, he revealed his admiration for the Englishman, both as a person and as a player.

The former Sporting CP star revealed that he was said to see Declan Rice join Arsenal instead of the CAF Champions League.

"I was really sad when he chose to go to Arsenal," Fernandes said. I don't know if there was the opportunity or the chance to come to Manchester United, but I always thought that he would be the perfect fit for our club," he added.

The Portuguese praised the former West Ham midfielder's impressive style of play and the way he has helped Arsenal

"Not just for the player he is but for the person he is, for the professional, he showed me that he is in for his personality, and I think what he has been doing this season is a different position, it is a different style of play," Fernandes added.

Fernandes explained that Rice has been one of the standout stars this season and admitted he would have been happy for Rice to win the award, had he not claimed the title.

"As I said before, I am very happy I won it [the FWA Player of the Year award], but if Declan had won this award, it would have been deserved too," he said.

Man Utd's captain added that Rice deserves some recognition for his performances this season, while also admitting that he contacted the Arsenal man after the Gunners reached the Champions League final.

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"And still, I think he is an amazing player, and if he got this award, I would have messaged him and said congratulations, as I did when he got into the final of the Champions League," he concluded.