Fernandes Wanted Rice at Manchester United Before Arsenal Move

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of the Portugal national team and a midfielder for Manchester United, admitted he wanted Declan Rice to join Manchester United before Rice's transfer to Arsenal. Rice, who previously played for West Ham, made a record switch to Arsenal in 2023 for £105 million.

Fernandes expressed sadness over Rice's decision to join Arsenal, stating that he believed Rice would have been a great fit for Manchester United. He praised Rice not only for his footballing abilities but also for his professionalism and work ethic, which he observed during their two weeks of training together with the England national team at the start of the season.

Fernandes acknowledged Rice's deserving claim to the Football Writers' Association award based on his spectacular season and noted that Rice will be a crucial player for Arsenal in their pursuit of success in the future. Fernandes will continue to lead Manchester United's midfield as they strive to improve in the upcoming term.