EPL: Fernandes praises Arsenal star, laments Manchester United missed out on signing him.

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed his disappointment after seeing Declan Rice move to Arsenal.

Fernandes said he felt “really sad” that United missed the chance to sign Rice before he joined Arsenal in a £105 million transfer from West Ham in 2023.

Rice has become a key player for Arsenal this season, helping Mikel Arteta’s side chase the club’s first Premier League title since 2004 and a potential double as they prepare to face Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League final on May 30.

Meanwhile, Fernandes has remained a vital figure for United, tallying 19 assists this campaign—just one short of the joint all‑time record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Last week, Fernandes won the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year award, edging out Rice by 28 votes.

In an interview with the FWA, Fernandes praised Rice and revealed that he still keeps in touch with the Arsenal midfielder after they trained together in Portugal three years ago.

“To be honest, I admire him [Rice] a lot, first of all as a person because I knew him from the Algarve when we were training together and everything,” Fernandes told Joel Beya for the FWA.

“Of course, I was already aware of him from West Ham, and we all recognized the qualities he possessed. I have always believed that Rice was a player suited to play for Manchester United.”

“I was uncertain if it was the right opportunity or chance for him to join Manchester United, but I have always thought he would be an ideal fit for our club, not only for the player he is but also for the person he is and the professionalism he demonstrated to me along with his personality.”