Bruno Fernandes admits he would have loved to have seen Declan Rice join Manchester United, describing the Arsenal captain as the ideal fit for the team.
Arsenal are on course to win the Premier League title with two games remaining, while Manchester United are sitting in third place after an improved second half to the 2025/26 season.
The most important player to Arsenal has been Declan Rice, who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to bring to United before he eventually left West Ham for Arsenal in 2023.
Despite Arsenal competing for the biggest trophies and United not, Bruno Fernandes was voted FWA Footballer of the Year ahead of Rice, sparking plenty of debate.
CONGRATULATIONS to Bruno Fernandes – The 2025/26 Football Writers Award Player of the Year… let us know your REACTION!
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Bruno Fernandes was gutted when Declan Rice signed for Arsenal
Fernandes and Rice were both nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award this week.
One can only imagine the damage they would do if they were in the same team, as would have been the case had Solskjaer got his desired targets.
Two years after Solskjaer made it clear to United he wanted Rice, Arsenal paid an initial £100 million to make him the most expensive English player in 2023.
Fernandes has now revealed he wished Rice had joined United, saying he sees him as the perfect fit for the club.
“I’ve always said, Rice was a player to play for Man United, I was really sad when he chose to go Arsenal,” Fernandes told JoelBeyaTV.
“I always thought he would be a perfect fit for our club.”
Fernandes shared that he shares mutual respect with Rice after working with the midfielder three years ago during a summer training camp in Portugal.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Bruno Fernandes wanted Manchester United to sign Declan Rice
- Fernandes believes Rice was the ‘perfect fit’ for United
- Rice is competing for Premier League and Champions League success at Arsenal this season
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Declan Rice record against Man Utd
Rice has played against United 18 times throughout his career for both West Ham and Arsenal.
The England international boasts an impressive record, too, with seven wins and just three defeats. The rest (11) were draws.
On top of that, Rice has scored two goals and registered one assist against United.
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