{"id":327706,"date":"2026-05-02T02:37:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=327706"},"modified":"2026-05-02T02:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:07:45","slug":"vitinha-says-man-utd-have-among-the-finest-players-on-this-planet-but-snubs-arsenal-star-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/vitinha-says-man-utd-have-among-the-finest-players-on-this-planet-but-snubs-arsenal-star-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitinha says Man Utd have ‘among the finest players on this planet’ but snubs Arsenal star | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PSG midfielder Vitinha (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vitinha has named Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as certainly one of the \u2018top-four\u2019 midfielders on this planet but ignored Arsenal star Declan Rice.<\/p>\n

Fernandes is having fun with one other impressive campaign at Old Trafford, scoring eight goals and providing 20 assists in all competitions this season.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old\u2019s form has helped Manchester United all but officially secure a spot in next season\u2019s Champions League after they finished just fifteenth last season.<\/p>\n

Vitinha rates Fernandes as among the finest midfielders on this planet alongside himself, Joao Neves and the player on the \u2018top of the list\u2019, Pedri.<\/p>\n

Pedri, 23, has already won two La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophieswith Barcelona and the Euros with Spain.<\/p>\n

Vitinha has enjoyed similar success at PSG, helping the French giants win three successive league titles and the club\u2019s first Champions League last season.<\/p>\n

Given his standing in the sport, Vitinha is well-placed to rank a few of his contemporaries and was asked by Canal 11<\/a> who he rates as one of the best midfielder on this planet.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Newcastle\t<\/div>
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I might put Pedri at the highest of the list,\u2019 said Vitinha. \u2018He’s magical, it’s spectacular to see him play. If you play against him, you understand him even higher.<\/p>\n

\u2018A top-three? I might go together with Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes. They’re each on either side of me and Pedri. So, I don\u2019t have a top three but a top 4.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u2019s Rice is probably a surprising omission from Vitinha\u2019s list given his form for club and country over the past two years.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tVitinha’s top-four midfielders\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Pedri (Barcelona)<\/p>\n

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)<\/p>\n

Joao Neves (PSG)<\/p>\n

Vitinha (PSG)<\/p>\n

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Pedri was hailed as \u2018magical\u2019 by Vitinha (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Gunners spent over \u00a3100m to sign Rice from West Ham in 2023 and the England star quickly repaid that massive transfer fee.<\/p>\n

Rice has played all but certainly one of Arsenal\u2019s league games this season as Mikel Arteta\u2019s men look to win their first Premier League title since 2004.<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u2019s aspirations usually are not just limited to the Premier League, nonetheless, with the Gunners tied at 1-1 with Atletico Madrid of their Champions League semi-final.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Brighton\t<\/div>
Arsenal and England star Declan Rice (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gary Lineker believes Rice is certainly one of the three candidates to win the Player of the Season award but says Fernandes is just ahead of the Arsenal star.<\/p>\n

\u2018I believe he\u2019s the player of the season for me,\u2019 the previous England striker said on The Rest is Football podcast<\/a>. \u2018I do know they\u2019ll probably give it to someone that\u2019s going to win something.<\/p>\n

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Who should win the Player of the Season award?<\/h3>\n