Update: Man United given brutal Declan Rice reminder as they’re told how he ‘would’ve snubbed Arsenal’ News

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Declan Rice following his Champions League heroics with Arsenal and wishes Manchester United moved to sign the midfielder when they had the chance

Rio Ferdinand is adamant that Declan Rice would have signed for Manchester United had they matched Arsenal’s offer.

The £105million man proved himself as one of Europe’s premier midfielders during the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final triumph against Real Madrid. Rice was outstanding in both matches against the 15-time European champions.

He scored an astonishing free-kick double in the first leg and put in a commanding display in the second leg as Mikel Arteta’s side sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory. Ferdinand was full of praise for the England star after the tie.

But he was left regretting United’s decision not to push the boat out to sign him in the summer of 2023. While there were suggestions Rice was keen to remain in the capital, Ferdinand is sure he would have chosen United over Arsenal if that was a genuine option.

“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 Ferdinand on his YouTube show.

“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.”

Rice has shown interest in joining United in the past. Back in 2021, the Manchester Evening News reported that he had asked United’s England players about the club while on international duty.

Rice would certainly have added steel and energy to United’s struggling midfield in recent seasons, but their loss was Arsenal’s gain. After seeing off Real so impressively, the 26-year-old is now eyeing bringing the Champions League trophy to north London for the first time.

“We want to win this competition,” he said. “The semi-finals are massive for us. We’ve played PSG once already (winning 2-0 at home in the league phase).

“We feel they are a different team to back then. We’ve seen what they can do, but Aston Villa caused them a lot of problems.”