Ten Hag Regret Missing Out on Declan Rice?
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that he would have liked Declan Rice in his squad, suggesting the club may regret missing out on the midfielder last summer.
Declan Rice’s Stellar Season with Arsenal
Rice has been a key player for Arsenal this season, featuring in all 36 of their Premier League matches. His performances have been instrumental in their title challenge and earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Year award.
Manchester United’s Transfer Shortcomings
While Arsenal secured Rice’s signature for a reported £100 million, Manchester United were not seriously involved in the transfer battle despite their long-standing interest in the player. Last summer, they focused on bringing in Andre Onana, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund.
Ten Hag acknowledged Rice’s talent, implying he would have been a good fit at Old Trafford. “He’s a very good player,” Ten Hag said. “He would absolutely have fitted here.”
Manchester United vs Arsenal: A Tale of Two Teams
The upcoming match between Manchester United and Arsenal highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs. Arsenal are currently in the thick of the title race, while Manchester United sit a significant distance behind in the standings.
Ten Hag acknowledged the challenge Arsenal presents but downplayed any concerns about prioritizing the upcoming FA Cup final over the league match.
“We go in every game to win, not prepare for the next game,” Ten Hag said. “Of course it’s in the back of my mind [FA Cup final] but I want to put out a team that is eager to win and we choose the best team for Sunday to win that game.”
He acknowledged Arsenal’s strengths: “Arsenal are one of the best teams or probably the best team, is it City or Arsenal? Very ball secure, very good structures.” Manchester United are aware they need to be at their best to get a result.
Arsenal Aiming to Overcome Old Trafford Woes
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is aware of his team’s poor record at Old Trafford. “Every game has a different context,” Arteta said. “We know our history [at Old Trafford] how we have done over there, so we are going to have to be at our best to win the game.”
The focus for Arsenal is on performing well enough to earn a victory. “We know what we need to do, but first we have to perform at a high level to deserve to win the match. That is where the focus is.”
