Piers Morgan has hit out after Declan Rice was overlooked for the PFA Player of the Year award, which went to Bruno Fernandes instead. The Portuguese playmaker claimed the prize following a record-breaking Premier League season, but Morgan believes Arsenal's midfielder should have taken it.
Rice's trophy-laden campaign
Rice was part of the Arsenal side that ended a 22-year wait for a Premier League title, with the Englishman widely regarded as one of the key figures in the team. He was also integral to Arsenal reaching the final of both the Carabao Cup and Champions League.
By contrast, Fernandes finished third with United, was not involved in a title race, and played just 40 matches across the entire campaign after the Red Devils were knocked out of both domestic cups in their first game.
Record-breaking Fernandes
However, the 31-year-old enjoyed a stellar individual season, breaking the Premier League assist record by surpassing the previous tally of 20 set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Morgan, a devout Arsenal fan, was left enraged by the decision. Taking to social media, he wrote on X: "Ridiculous… @_DeclanRice should have won this."
Arsenal nominees and Fernandes' response
Arsenal stars William Saliba, Gabriel and David Raya were also nominated for the award. Regardless, it was Fernandes who took it, with the prize voted for by his fellow Premier League players.
Reacting to the victory, Fernandes said: "Winning this, being voted by the ones that every week go out on the pitch against me, is something that makes me very proud. Because they've been there, they're playing against me, they've seen what I'm capable of doing, and for them to vote for me is something I'm very grateful for. It's always nice to see the name of the club in these kinds of awards, and obviously the players stand out with the club behind them. That's very important for us."
The former Sporting star was quick to add that he would swap the individual award if it meant United took home silverware instead. He said: "Quite obvious, everyone would say the same. We don't play tennis."
Early signs for the next race
The race for the 2026/27 PFA Player of the Year award has already begun, with this year's frontrunners having made contrasting starts. Rice's Arsenal breezed past Premier League newcomers Coventry City on Friday night, while United were beaten by another of the newly promoted sides, Hull City, the following day.
