Declan Rice can show Manchester United EXACTLY what they're missing when high-flying West Ham come to town... the England star is the tough-tackling player the Red Devils crave and has outperformed EVERY central midfielder at Old Trafford this season

  • Declan Rice is having a superb season with West Ham and is attracting interest 
  • Manchester United have been linked ahead of their clash with the Hammers 
  • Rice has outperformed all of their central midfielders and is just what they need
  • He'll have eyes on him, but Rice will have doubts they are the right club for him

There are problems that seemingly never get solved, no matter how much money a club throws at it. For Chelsea, it's been finding a striker as good as Diego Costa. For Arsenal, finding a responsible leader. For Manchester United, it's finding a top quality central midfielder.

History looks like it will repeat itself this summer - with Paul Pogba on his way out of Old Trafford on a free transfer again. United expected a ready made star who could dominate games given they spent £90million on someone they already had in their youth ranks. But it hasn't worked out that way and their options could soon become even more depleted. 

So when Declan Rice walks down the tunnel at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday, when West Ham come to town, you can bet there will be a few eyes on him from up in the stands. The club are looking for midfield recruits this month - and one of the league's best performers this season will be right under their noses. 

Declan Rice will have eyes on him when his West Ham side visit Man United on Saturday

Declan Rice will have eyes on him when his West Ham side visit Man United on Saturday

Ralf Rangnick wants a new midfielder and the England star would hugely improve his team

Ralf Rangnick wants a new midfielder and the England star would hugely improve his team 

Rice - one of the heroes of England's run to the Euro 2020 final last summer - is playing out of his skin right now, and has known admirers across the division. 


He's already stated his desire to play for a Champions League team, and it seems inevitable that will happen in the next year - with two-and-a-half years left on his current deal at the London Stadium. 

We'll see what happens at the end of the season - right now, West Ham (who occupy the fourth spot as things stand) are above United and look better placed to secure a place in Europe's top competition next season, given the shambles of a campaign the Red Devils have produced thus far.

The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a switch to link up with his fellow England team-mates Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. Rice is said to be 'a priority' signing for the club, with The Athletic among those reporting that United officials are lining up a move for him. 

Rice is having a standout season and is attracting interest from a host of top teams

Rice is having a standout season and is attracting interest from a host of top teams

Paul Pogba - currently injured - looks set to leave on a free transfer this summer, which will leave a hole in United's midfield

Paul Pogba - currently injured - looks set to leave on a free transfer this summer, which will leave a hole in United's midfield

The reports keep on coming on the £100m-rated man, just like the praise does. Chelsea legend John Terry said Rice was the best player in his position in world football, while a handful of former United players have urged the club to get a deal done at any price.

A deep-lying midfielder has been a problem area for United for some time - they need someone who can provide better protection for the defence, with the likes of Fred and Nemanja Matic leaving a lot to be desired. The club have been through the gauntlet looking for a reliable midfielder that could match the quality of Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick.

Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig is another who has been tipped to join United. A player boss Ralf Rangnick knows well having coached him at the German side, and someone who supported the club growing up. But when Rangnick goes upstairs at the end of the season, would the new man in charge find a place for him?

It can't be disputed that Rice would comfortably slot into United's midfield right now given he is outperforming all of them who play in deeper roles. 

The £100m-rated star would slot into United's midfield and is outperforming their top stars

The £100m-rated star would slot into United's midfield and is outperforming their top stars

Rice has played the most minutes of any midfielder in the Premier League this season and ranks second highest when it comes to interceptions, recoveries, dribbles and carries.  

He is particularly good at controlling games and holding onto the ball while driving forwards to help his side build attacks. Rice has the best carry distance of any player (5152 metres), with 1458 touches and 33 dribbles completed - only second to Man City star Bernardo Silva in that area.

But United will be particularly interested by his defensive capabilities compared to their current options. The squad have been criticised this term for how easy they have been cut open at times - especially by counter attacks - and Rice would be able to sweep things up and set United on their way again. 

Rice has the second most interceptions and recoveries - United need someone like him to provide better protection of their defence

Rice has the second most interceptions and recoveries - United need someone like him to provide better protection of their defence

There has been heavy speculation Rice could link up with England team-mates Luke Shaw (L) and Harry Maguire (far right)

There has been heavy speculation Rice could link up with England team-mates Luke Shaw (L) and Harry Maguire (far right)

Compared to United's central midfielder's Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic, Rice comes up trumps. He has made more interceptions (36) and recoveries (167) than all of them - and has more tackles (48) than McTominay and Matic - Fred is level with the England star.  

Rice has also won 27 aerial challenges - beating Fred and Matic, with McTominay the only one outdoing him in that regard (35).

In an attacking sense, Rice would also give United's midfield a boost in transitions to turn defence into attack quickly. He's played more forward passes (335) than any of McTominay (221), Fred (280) and Matic (190), has more assists (4), more shots (16) and a better passing accuracy too (90.4 per cent). 

His presence from both a defensive and attacking point of view translates when assessed per game as well. Rice ranks first for interceptions per 90 (1.7), dribbles completed (1.6), and joint-first for recoveries per 90 (8.0) and assists per 90 (0.2).

Rice will still be on the fence about a move to United given their turbulent campaign and West Ham's surge up the Premier League table

Rice will still be on the fence about a move to United given their turbulent campaign and West Ham's surge up the Premier League table

West Ham had a wobble during December but Rice maintained his consistency throughout. They only won once last month, although the former Chelsea academy star was their shining light. When things aren't going their way, United need a player who can step up and get them out of trouble.

They go into their clash with West Ham off the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 win at Brentford, where Scott McTominay put in a brilliant midfield display, but the Scot would be given some real competition should Rice end up signing for United. 

That's what makes this weekend's game all the more intriguing. It's as much an opportunity for Rice to impress United as it is a chance for United to impress Rice. He will have a plethora of avenues to go down this summer if West Ham are ready to listen to offers, with former club Chelsea holding a long-term interest. 

United may have lost some of that allure given their turbulent few years and their poor track record of new signings flourishing at the club. They need a player like Rice, but given how well West Ham are doing this season, Rice may not need United. 

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