Arsenal star slammed over ’embarrassing’ moment during Man Utd clash | Football

Declan Rice has been slammed for his ’embarrassing’ reaction to the goal-saving tackle he made during Arsenal’s draw with Manchester United.

Struggling United striker Rasmus Hojlund looked set to give the hosts the lead late on in Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford when Mikel Merino was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty box.

Hojlund only had David Raya to beat to score his first goal since mid-December but was unable to get a shot away as Rice got back to save 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 a superb free-kick on the stroke of half-time to give Manchester United an undeserved lead.

United had the better chances to win the game, however, 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 think Declan Rice needs to set his standards and his targets higher. I love him, but you’re tackling one of the worst strikers Man United have ever had, and then you’re getting up and celebrating.

‘Don’t celebrate a tackle you could 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 like it’s a goal when you’re doing your job.

‘And you’re right, it was a heavy touch. I mean, it was a poor touch and he (Hojlund) deliberated and gave him (Rice) the chance to get back.

‘But that’s kind of his job as a defensive midfielder to get back and intercept. Declan’s not normally like that, to be fair, I will say that about it.

‘He gets on with the job in a humble way, but he and many others at the moment, and Arsenal probably do it as much as any team, but this thing about celebrating blocks and giving a corner away because you’ve slid in and won it back for your team.

‘I mean, yes, celebrate a goal. It’s the most euphoric thing you can do in football. Enjoy yourself, but celebrating fist pumping and giving it out to the crowd when you make a tackle?’

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Rice described his tackle on Hojlund as his highlight of the game despite also scoring a superb equaliser.

‘Probably the tackle, just because of the state of the game,’ he said. ‘It defines the small margins in football for me because it could have been a penalty and probably a red card for me if I didn’t react as quickly as I did.

‘I made the tackle, and we go to the other end and nearly score. These are the margins in football, but for me, those tackles are equally as important as scoring goals. That was a big one today so I liked that.’

The stalemate at Old Trafford leaves Arsenal a daunting 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Manchester United stay 14th.

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