Wayne Rooney Praises Declan Rice as the Midfield Leader Manchester United “Should Have Signed Years Ago”
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Arsenal’s midfield powerhouse Declan Rice, admitting that the England star “would walk into any team in the world.” The former United captain revealed that he wishes his old club had signed Rice much earlier — claiming that many of their current struggles could have been avoided if he were part of their squad.
Speaking after Arsenal’s dominant 2–0 win over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium, Rooney could not hide his admiration for Rice, who scored a brilliant goal against his former side and ran the game from start to finish. The ex-England striker described him as “a complete footballer — intelligent, composed, and always playing with purpose.”
Rooney: “He’s the Kind of Player Every Manager Dreams Of”
Rooney highlighted how Rice embodies everything Manchester United currently lack — leadership, tactical balance, and composure under pressure.
“Declan Rice is the kind of player every manager dreams of,” Rooney said. “He’s strong in duels, reads the game perfectly, passes with precision, and leads even when he’s not wearing the captain’s armband. I wish we’d signed him when we had the chance — things could’ve been very different for United.”
Rice’s Impact at Arsenal
Since joining Arsenal, Rice has completely transformed Mikel Arteta’s midfield, adding defensive stability while giving creative stars like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka more freedom to attack. Against West Ham, he not only scored a stunning opener but also completed over 90% of his passes, dominated possession, and broke up multiple counterattacks.
Rooney compared Rice’s calm and control to the great midfielders he once played alongside at Old Trafford:
“He reminds me of Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes — calm under pressure, always in the right place, dictating the game with simplicity. You can see Arsenal’s players respect him deeply. Even though he’s new, he already looks like one of their main leaders.”
A New Dimension to Rice’s Game
Under Arteta, Rice has also added more goals to his game. His strike against West Ham was his 17th goal for Arsenal, already surpassing his tally from 245 appearances with the Hammers. The shift reflects how he’s evolved from a defensive anchor into a complete box-to-box midfielder capable of influencing every phase of play.
Rooney’s Frustration with Manchester United’s Missed Opportunity
Rooney’s comments weren’t just praise — they also reflected frustration with Manchester United’s recruitment strategy in recent years.
“We’ve spent huge money, but sometimes it’s not just about talent — it’s about character,” Rooney said. “Rice is a leader who lifts everyone around him. He gives his teammates belief and stability. That’s what United have been missing for years.”
Rice: The Symbol of Arsenal’s Transformation
Declan Rice has quickly become the heartbeat of Arsenal’s title ambitions. His mix of intelligence, work ethic, and leadership has made him indispensable, and if Arsenal go on to win the Premier League this season, his influence will be undeniable.
Even rivals can’t help but admire his rise. As Rooney summed it up:
“He’s special. You can tell he was born to lead. Every manager in the world would want him — and honestly, I wish Manchester United had done everything to make him one of ours.”
From West Ham captain to Arsenal talisman, Declan Rice’s journey is a story of ambition, growth, and leadership — and as Wayne Rooney rightly said, he’s not just one of the best in England right now, but one of the most complete midfielders in world football.