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Rio Ferdinand says which club he thinks Declan Rice would have preferred to join between Arsenal and Manchester United
Arsenal and Manchester United have both had a pretty good week as they surged into the semi-finals of their respective European competitions.
The Gunners made light work of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, while the Red Devils reached the Europa League semis in slightly more dramatic circumstances.
While Arsenal won 5-1 on aggregate, Manchester United needed two late extra-time goals to beat Lyon 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate.
Rio Ferdinand spoke on his YouTube channel after the game, covering both Man United’s dramatic win over Lyon and Arsenal’s masterclass against Real Madrid.
Ferdinand then made a bold ‘what if’-type claim regarding Declan Rice – the man of the moment for Arsenal – and the Red Devils.
Rio Ferdinand believes Declan Rice would have chosen Manchester United over Arsenal
Ferdinand, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, was almost in disbelief over how Rice – who wasn’t previously known for his free kicks – scored two set-piece goals of such high quality.
Indeed, even the Spanish press couldn’t praise Rice highly enough for how he put Real Madrid to the sword.
Ferdinand then said Man United should have moved for him – and claimed that, had the Red Devils matched Arsenal’s offer to West Ham, Rice would’ve gone to Old Trafford instead.
“And we didn’t go and sign him,” Ferdinand bemoaned after Stephen Howson talked about his free kicks against Real.
“I think – and I stand by this – if Man United had come to the table with a chequebook and said ‘we’ll match what Arsenal pay’, I reckon Declan Rice would have chosen Man United.”
The time Declan Rice was reportedly asking about Manchester United
In the summer of 2023, Arsenal and Man United were only separated by one place in the Premier League table.
Admittedly, Arsenal’s tally was 84 points while Man United finished on 75 points, but the outcome was the same – both went into the Champions League.
At the time, Man United would likely have stood a chance of signing Rice from West Ham.
Indeed, the has reported that, back in 2021, Rice was asking Man United’s players about the club on England duty.
It is understood that Rice spoke with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw about the Old Trafford club.
Meanwhile, Man United were apparently looking for midfielders amid the possibility of Paul Pogba leaving.
In the end, Rice stayed put that summer and, two years later, opted to swap east London for north London.