Piers Morgan has criticised the Football Writers' Association's decision to award Bruno Fernandes the FWA Player of the Year award, calling it a 'farce' and arguing that Arsenal's Declan Rice was more deserving. The broadcaster, an avid Arsenal fan, took to social media to express his displeasure after Fernandes became the first Manchester United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Fernandes was recognised for his creative output this season, leading several metrics including assists, despite Manchester United's struggles in the first half of the campaign. The Portuguese midfielder has been instrumental in United's resurgence under Michael Carrick, helping the team secure third place in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.
However, Morgan and other critics point to Rice's influence at Arsenal, where the England international has been a key figure in the Gunners' title charge. Rice has won 35 games this season, more than the 34 matches Fernandes has played, and Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the table. Rice could yet finish the season as a Premier League and Champions League winner.
Michael Carrick, Manchester United's interim manager, defended Fernandes's award, stating: 'With an award like this that’s judged over such a long period of time, I think whoever gets it is fully deserving of it, and I think Bruno, this season that he's had, and certainly since I've been here, how he's performed and the impact that he's had on the group, has been fantastic. So yeah, fully deserved and delighted that he's got an award like that and he’s one of ours.'
Fernandes joins a list of United greats to have won the FWA award, including Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo. The award is voted on by football writers and is one of the most prestigious individual honours in English football.
