‘I was really sad.’ Bruno Fernandes opens up on one player that rejected Man United

He would have been the 'perfect' addition to the United midfield.

The United legend has had a brilliant season, winning the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award, and spearheading the Red Devils back to a Champions League charge.

Scoring eight goals and providing a whopping 19 assists, he is now one assist away from the record of 20 in a season, with two games to play.

Alongside him in the midfield is the departing Casemiro, with Kobbie Mainoo featuring regularly again after Ruben Amorim's departure. Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte, on the other hand, haven't featured as much this campaign.

Though, if Fernandes had his way, he would have had a 'perfect' midfielder playing in the centre of the park with him.

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Speaking to Joel Beya after winning his FWA Footballer of the Year, Fernandes confessed who he wanted the most:

"I've always said Rice was a player to play for Man United. I was really sad when he chose to go to Arsenal.

"I always thought that he'd be a perfect fit for our club. Not just for the player, but the person he is. If he won FWA instead of me, it'd be well deserved, too."

When did Man United try to sign Declan Rice?

Moving to Arsenal, Declan Rice is in a Champions League final and on the edge of clinching the Premier League title.

Though, it could have been a very different story, with ex-United gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperate to secure his signature back in 2021.

Solskjaer spoke on his attempts, speaking to Stick to Football in 2024:

"His legs, covering the pitch, and I think he improved a lot on his playmaking as well. Obviously, he would’ve cost some money, but we could’ve and should’ve gone for him."