Bruno Fernandes heaps praise on Declan Rice after beating him to FWA award – and says he wished he had joined Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes heaps praise on Declan Rice after beating him to FWA award – and says he wished he had joined Man Utd

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has lauded Declan Rice after beating him to the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Men’s Footballer of the Year award.

Fernandes won the vote after a brilliant season that has seen him register 19 Premier League assists. He received 45% of the votes from the FWA members, but said Rice would have been a worthy winner too.

Speaking on JoelBeyaTV’s Youtube channel, Fernandes said: “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.

“I don’t think he is the best player or whatever in the league, it is just, in a season where you have to choose between players and obviously numbers make a lot of weight in the decision.

“I think I had a brilliant season and I could add that to my game, obviously for Dec it is more difficult for him to get that because he plays a little bit deeper.

“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.”

Fernandes went on to say that he wishes Rice had joined Manchester United after leaving West Ham.

The Englishman ultimately decided to join Arsenal for £105 million in the summer of 2023.