Declan Rice has been slammed for his ’embarrassing’ response to the goal-saving tackle he made during Arsenal’s draw with Manchester United.
Struggling United striker Rasmus Hojlund looked set to offer the hosts the lead late on in Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford when Mikel Merino was dispossessed on the sting of the penalty box.
Hojlund only had David Raya to beat to attain his first goal since mid-December but was unable to get a shot away as Rice got back to save lots of Arsenal.
Gunners goalkeeper David Raya was clearly appreciative of Rice’s efforts, passionately applauding as Arsenal cleared their lines, and Rice himself celebrated with a wild fist pump.
Rice had earlier equalised for Arsenal after Bruno Fernandes scored an outstanding free-kick on the stroke of half-time to offer Manchester United an undeserved lead.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United daily
Get up to seek out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Join to our newsletter after which select your team within the link so we are able to send you football news tailored to you.
United had the higher probabilities to win the sport, nevertheless, with Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee coming close either side of Rice’s game-saving challenge.
‘When he celebrated the tackle on Rasmus Hojlund, now that’s like Tyson Fury celebrating a win over Jake Paul,’ talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham said before ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy agreed he wasn’t a fan.
‘I believe Declan Rice must set his standards and his targets higher. I really like him, but you’re tackling one in all the worst strikers Man United have ever had, and you then’re getting up and celebrating.
‘Don’t have a good time a tackle you might only make because your opponent’s touch was heavier than Alan Brazil’s bar tab at Cheltenham this week. It was embarrassing.’
Murphy added: ‘I don’t like seeing tackles celebrated prefer it’s a goal while you’re doing all your job.
‘And also you’re right, it was a heavy touch. I mean, it was a poor touch and he (Hojlund) deliberated and gave him (Rice) the prospect to get back.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an online
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘But that’s type of his job as a defensive midfielder to get back and intercept. Declan’s not normally like that, to be fair, I’ll say that about it.
‘He gets on with the job in a humble way, but he and plenty of others in the intervening time, and Arsenal probably do it as much as any team, but this thing about celebrating blocks and giving a corner away since you’ve slid in and won it back to your team.
‘I mean, yes, have a good time a goal. It’s essentially the most euphoric thing you possibly can do in football. Enjoy yourself, but celebrating fist pumping and giving it out to the gang while you make a tackle?’
Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Rice described his tackle on Hojlund as his highlight of the sport despite also scoring an outstanding equaliser.
‘Probably the tackle, just due to state of the sport,’ he said. ‘It defines the small margins in football for me since it might have been a penalty and doubtless a red card for me if I didn’t react as quickly as I did.
‘I made the tackle, and we go to the opposite end and nearly rating. These are the margins in football, but for me, those tackles are equally as necessary as scoring goals. That was a giant one today so I liked that.’
The stalemate at Old Trafford leaves Arsenal a frightening 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Manchester United stay 14th.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Chelsea told they’ll ‘never win the Premier League’ with £25m player
MORE: Latest Man United stadium architect Norman Foster’s six most iconic buildings
MORE: William Saliba issues update on his Arsenal future amid Real Madrid speculation
