Declan Rice ‘would’ve snubbed Arsenal’ for Man Utd in club legend’s theory

Rio Ferdinand maintains that Declan Rice would have picked Manchester United over Arsenal if the Red Devils had matched the financial terms offered by the Gunners.

The £105 million midfielder demonstrated his world-class quality in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final triumph over Real Madrid, shining across both legs against the 15-time European titleholders.

His stunning two-goal haul from free-kicks in the first match and commanding display in the second were key to Mikel Arteta’s side securing a 5-1 victory on aggregate. Ferdinand praised the England midfielder following the performance.

Still, he also expressed frustration at United’s failure to meet the required fee during the 2023 summer window. Although some reports claimed Rice wanted to remain in London, Ferdinand is convinced the midfielder would have selected United if a competitive bid had been made.

“Declan Rice, you know when you look at players and go there was the moment he stood up and said, ‘Guys, the top table, I’m at it’,” said the ex-West Ham centre-back on his YouTube channel.

“I think this tie says that. Doing against a team of that magnitude, that type of team, that champion. And we (United) didn’t go and sign him!

“I think, and I will stand by this, if Man United had come to the table with a chequebook and said, ‘we’ll match what Arsenal pay’, I think Declan Rice would have chosen Man United.”

Reports from 2021 suggested that Rice had spoken to United’s England players about the club during national team duty. Nonetheless, Arsenal have benefited immensely, with Rice elevating his game under Arteta’s guidance.

Following the Real Madrid tie, Arsenal midfielder Rice affirmed their Champions League ambitions with PSG now on the horizon. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It’s such a special and historic night for this club.

“We want to win this competition. There was a lot of talk coming here about them coming back because they’ve done it so many times before.

“But we had so much belief and confidence from the first leg that we had enough to come here and win the game.”