Agbonlahor verdict on dressing room upset at West Ham after 'strange' Rice development
David Moyes' decision to substitute Mark Noble on to take a penalty against Man United instead of Declan Rice will not have a negative impact on the West Ham dressing room.
That is the view of ex-England and Aston Villa attacker Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Noble missed the spot-kick that would have earned West Ham a point against Man United.
The Hammers captain was introduced from the bench in stoppage time after Luke Shaw was penalised for a handball.
However, his penalty was the perfect height for David de Gea to make his first penalty save since 2014 as he has conceded his last 40.
Rice looked set to take it before Noble's introduction.
Asked whether Rice may be upset at Moyes' decision, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "I think they've got good team spirit at the club so they won't be annoyed.
"But there were enough players on the pitch who could have scored it. I found it quite strange when I saw it because Noble is a great set-piece taker but you're not up to speed of the game. You're not aware.
"It's probably something only footballers can explain. When you come on as a sub, it might take you five minutes to get into the game.
"It was just a strange, strange decision. I can understand if it was a last-minute free-kick and you've got David Beckham on the bench because he's the best set-piece taker ever known.
"But for a penalty...Anyone can take a penalty, let's be honest.
"It was a fair result anyway because Man United deserved a penalty for the Zouma tackle on Ronaldo so maybe it was karma and a bit of justice."