The race to sign Declan Rice is quickly emerging as this summer's biggest transfer saga.
After leading West Ham to European glory, the England international, 24, has been told that he can leave the London Stadium - but only if the deal is right. So far, no club has met West Ham's asking price of at least £100million, as Arsenal have seen their two bids rejected and Manchester City had their single offer - also worth £90m - rebuffed.
With the pair of Premier League giants now going back to the drawing board, Manchester United have sensed an opportunity. While they remain outsiders to sign Rice, the Telegraph claim that Erik ten Hag and co are deliberating over a bid which could include one or multiple players plus cash in exchange for West Ham's midfield star as part of a lucrative swap deal.
With that in mind, Mirror Football looks at seven players who the Red Devils could offer.
Scott McTominay
Starting with one named in the report, Scott McTominay may well be a player who David Moyes fancies bringing to West Ham regardless of Rice's future. Moyes is sure to have appreciated McTominay's goalscoring feats for Scotland, with the United midfielder often playing as a marauding centre-back - yes, that's right.
Versatile, hard-working and willing to do a job anywhere, there's an argument to be made that the 26-year-old is an archetypal Moyes player. Firmly behind Casemiro at United and with previous admirers Newcastle turning elsewhere for a new midfielder, McTominay would slot into West Ham's system nicely, whether he's a direct replacement for Rice or bolsters the Irons' defence.
Harry Maguire
Another name mentioned is someone who can't escape the headlines - and mostly not for the right reasons. Harry Maguire is still officially Manchester United's club captain, yet he spent most of last season sat on the bench watching his team-mates take the glory.
Signed for £80million four years ago, the English defender is no longer viewed as the Red Devils' long-awaited successor to Rio Ferdinand and Ten Hag is open to letting him go. England boss Gareth Southgate has already warned Maguire that in order to start for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, he'll need to earn more minutes next season and Moyes could offer him the perfect platform.
Operating in a much deeper back line like West Ham's would compliment the former Leicester star's undeniable traits, as would playing in a three-man defence which he's excelled in for his country. At 30, the time is now for Maguire to make a move and rescue his career at the elite level.
Fred
Viewed much more favourably nowadays than during his first few seasons at Old Trafford, Fred has entered the final 12 months of his United contract and doesn't appear to be close to signing a new deal. Fulham are reportedly interested in a transfer, but the £20m price tag which the Red Devils have slapped on the Brazilian is proving to be stumbling block.
Industrious, experienced and another South American speaker, Fred would stand a good chance of fitting in at West Ham. In addition, Ten Hag's decision to frequently bench him towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign signals that he wouldn't be heartbroken to see the 30-year-old depart this summer - especially if Rice comes the other way.
Dean Henderson
Almost a cert to leave Old Trafford this summer, Dean Henderson's 12-year association with Manchester United is grinding to an end after yet another positive loan spell. Nottingham Forest are keen to sign the talented goalkeeper on a permanent basis after starring for them last term, but perhaps he could be more useful to United in a swap deal with West Ham.
First-choice Irons goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is 38, while backup Alphonse Areola is no spring chicken at 30. With four years on the latter, Henderson would represent a long-term solution between the posts for Moyes and even United's own uncertain goalkeeping situation - with No.1 David de Gea on course to become a free agent come next week - isn't likely to hinder a move.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the 26-year-old is even perplexed at reports suggesting that Ten Hag may look to keep him at Old Trafford this summer and fully expects to join Forest. There is a looming issue, though, as Henderson is likely to be ruled out until August after recently undergoing surgery on his thigh.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Despite a strong second half of last season, it seems that Aaron Wan-Bissaka still hasn't convinced Ten Hag that he can be United's long-term right-back. His rival for the role, Diogo Dalot, has just been rewarded with a new five-year contract, a signal of the Red Devils' faith in the Portugal international.
Uncapped Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, could find himself on the chopping block as United look to raise funds. Crystal Palace were interested in bringing their academy graduate, 25, back to Selhurst Park but West Ham would be wise to enquire about his availability, too, especially since Irons right-back Vladimir Coufal is beginning to show signs of decline.
Donny van de Beek
Poor Donny van de Beek. First he wasn't favoured by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, then Ralf Rangnick, and not long after former Ajax boss Ten Hag reunited with him last season, the Dutch midfielder suffered a season-ending injury in January which could well mark the end of his three-season stay.
Van de Beek hasn't done much to demonstrate that he's a Premier League footballer, making this swap proposal an unlikely one, but being given a starring role by Moyes and played further forward could allow him to express his creativity. One thing's for sure, the 26-year-old needs a fresh start in order to regain his place in the Netherlands international setup.
West Ham have made themselves somewhat of a haven for rekindling the careers of players who haven't been able to make it at top clubs. Kurt Zouma, Emerson Palmieri and Thilo Kehrer are prime examples, so perhaps Van de Beek can follow in their footsteps.
Anthony Elanga
Finally, to someone else who's destined to exit United this summer. Anthony Elanga can hold his head high thanks to progressing through the Red Devils' academy before being the breakout star of a largely miserable 2021-22 season under Solskjaer and Rangnick.
But it's evident that Ten Hag doesn't see him as part of his long-term plans and the 21-year-old has already hinted that he's close to leaving United due to a lack of game time. "It is frustrating," Elanga told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. "You want to play, it's important. But whether you play or not, it's up to the coach, not me. I have spoken to Erik and it is private between the two of us.
Have your say! How would Manchester United line up with Declan Rice? Give us your starting XI in the comments section.
"I know what he wants me to do and I just keep training hard. When the opportunity comes, I just have to be ready to take it. We have a lot of conversations, not only about [the lack of game time] but also what is happening around. That’s the good thing about the club, we talk a lot and they help me a lot."
A willing runner who can play various roles across the forward line, the Sweden international might just be ideal for a Moyes attack. Nevertheless, Elanga's £10m price tag means that he'd hardly go a long way in pushing the Rice deal over the line.
