West Ham United midfield duo Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice would walk into the Manchester United team, according to Trevor Sinclair.

Rice is reported to be a priority target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in next season's transfer window, as the Norwegian looks to find a consistent anchor for United's midfield.

Fans have suggested a top defensive midfielder will be the difference between United challenging for silverware this season, and Rice's early season performances suggest he is the ideal candidate to pair with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.

The England international certainly looked the part in West Ham's 2-0 Europa League victory over Dinamo Zagreb, capping an all-around performance with a well-taken goal.

Rice demonstrated his ability to affect the play on the attacking side — something he found criticism for struggling to do during Euro 2020.

And former West Ham midfielder Sinclair has suggested Rice and Soucek have the quality to walk straight into Solskjaer's midfield.

"I’ve said it last season, we were talking about this exact fixture, and I said Declan Rice and Soucek would walk into the Manchester United team," he told talkSPORT.

"I don’t think their two or three holding midfielders would walk into the West Ham’s team.

"I think they are probably as good as you’re going to get in the Premier League at the moment.

"Soucek brings his unique running power, he’s a real boss in both boxes, and Rice, with his composure and ability to run the game at the back, is absolutely brilliant.

"The shape and the chemistry all over the pitch, everyone looks like they are enjoying playing for Moyes."

United didn't fare as well as West Ham in Europe this week, falling to a Young Boys side they were expected to cruise past. Still, their form in the Premier League has been strong in the opening weeks, including a dominant second-half display against Newcastle United.

However, United will face their sternest opposition yet as they prepare to face West Ham this weekend.

Solskjaer will take encouragement from Michail Antonio's unavailability for Sunday's fixture, owing to his suspension for a red card suffered in the Hammers' 0-0 draw with Southampton.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.