Former first-team player and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand expressed his belief that Declan Rice would have joined Manchester United instead of Arsenal if the Red Devils had offered him the same terms and salary as the Emirates club did.The England international has received a lot of praise and has been in the spotlight lately due to his incredible performances for the North London club, including Arsenal’s clash with Real Madrid, where Rice was one of the key players responsible for Mikel Arteta’s team progressing further.Bend it like DeclanThe midfielder was also awarded Player of the Match in both legs against the Spanish giants, which only further highlights the level of play he’s been delivering recently.Manchester United also had a successful and thrilling week, managing to reach the Europa League semifinals after an incredible comeback against Olympique Lyon. However, the Red Devils are experiencing a very different situation in the domestic league, currently sitting in 14th place.Rio Ferdinand on Rice: “You need games like this in your career. You need to get to places like this to be properly judged. He’s stood up against the holders of this trophy and he’s not just competed, he’s run the show. He’s run the show in both games” pic.twitter.com/oLj9lMCa7e— Gunners (@Goonerplanet) April 16, 2025 According to Ferdinand, Rice would be delivering the same kind of performances in a Manchester United shirt if the club from the Theatre of Dreams had been willing to offer him the right conditions. Speaking about the Arsenal midfielder and his performance against Real Madrid, Ferdinand added:”Declan Rice, I think, you know when you look at players and go where was the moment he stood up and said, ‘guys, the top table, I’m at it.’ 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.”PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 33SaturdayBrentford – Brighton 4-2 (1-1)/Mbuemo 9, 48, Wissa 58, Norgaard 90+5 – Welbeck 45+3, Mitoma 81/Crystal Palace – Bournemouth 0-0Everton – Man.City 0-2 (0-0)/O’Riley 85, Kovacic 90+3/West Ham – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Bowen 47 – Ugochukwu 90’+3/Aston Villa – Newcastle 4-1 (1-1)/Watkins 1, Maatsen 64, Burn (og) 73, Onana 75 – Schar 18/Sunday16:00: (2.95) Fulham (3.50) Chelsea (2.50)16:00: (7.25) Ipswich (4.40) Arsenal (1.45)16:00: (2.30) Man.Utd. (3.40) Wolverhampton (3.10)18:30: (12.0) Leicester (6.50) Liverpool (1.22)Monday22:00: (2.55) Tottenham (3.50) Nott.Forest (2.85)***odds are subject to change***
