Manchester United’s midfield maestro, Bruno Fernandes, has openly shared his regret over the club’s failure to secure Declan Rice before he moved to Arsenal. In a candid interview with the Football Writers’ Association, Fernandes described Rice as a player he admires both on and off the pitch, expressing sadness that United did not manage to sign him.
Fernandes recalled that he first met Rice during a training session in Portugal’s Algarve region three years ago, where they bonded and stayed in touch ever since. ‘I’ve always believed Rice was a perfect fit for Manchester United,’ Fernandes stated. ‘Not just for his footballing ability, but for the person he is – his professionalism and character impressed me deeply.’
United were among the frontrunners for Rice’s signature before he ultimately chose a £105 million move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023. Since then, Rice has become a pivotal figure for the Gunners, helping Mikel Arteta’s side challenge for the Premier League title for the first time in two decades, and even reaching the Champions League final.
This season, Fernandes himself has been in brilliant form, registering 19 assists – just one short of the record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. His contributions earned him the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year award, with Rice finishing a close second, trailing by only 28 votes.
Fernandes concluded by praising Rice’s development: ‘I knew his qualities from his West Ham days, and he has only improved. It’s a shame he’s not wearing red, but I’m happy for his success.’