Manchester United have held a long term interest in Declan Rice with Erik ten Hag impressed by his performances for West Ham.
Rice fits the Ten Hag mould almost perfectly considering he is young but experienced. However, his cost has always been the stumbling block with Hammers boss David Moyes having previously slapped a £100m price tag on his head.
Arsenal now seem the most likely club to secure the Englishman's signature, with Manchester City also keen., meaning United may need to look elsewhere if they are wanting to add a young midfielder to their squad. Using the website Comparisonator, MEN Sport has taken a look at alternatives who the Reds could sign instead of Rice.
Martin Zubimendi
Real Sociedad's 24-year-old defensive midfielder is a potential option for the Reds having caught the eye this campaign. After making his sole appearance for Spain in 2021, Zubimendi was recalled to the national team this season but has yet to add to his caps.
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Zubimendi would strengthen the Reds defensively with Comparisonator's stats suggesting he would be better defensively than Rice. The Spaniard's attributes in a defensive capacity are as good as his rivals in La Liga with his ability to win defensive duals as good as opponents he has come up against.
On average, Zubimendi won just over six defensive duels per 90 minutes and would act as an enforcer in United's midfield. Arsenal reportedly failed with a £53m bid for the La Liga star and United would have reported competition from Barcelona too should they decide to make a move.
Ibrahim Sangare
Sangare could be the most obtainable on this list. Reportedly, the 25-year-old has been unhappy since United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy left PSV Eindhoven and reports from the Netherlands suggest the Eredivisie club could be ready to cash in.
The Ivorian was a standout performer last season, scoring eight goals in a brilliant campaign. Despite being better than most offensively, Sangare showed well-rounded stats in the Dutch top tier with his successful passes into the final third averaging at just over seven per 90 minutes while defensively he is strong when winning possession back in his own half. His contract runs until 2027 but if reports are to be believed, PSV might sell for a lower price due to his reaction to Van Nistelrooy's exit.
Manu Kone
Borussia Monchengladbach's defensive midfielder is reportedly on the shortlist of Liverpool and it is easy to see why. The 22-year-old has shown great promise at the German club making 31 appearances this season.
Kone looks like he would suit a high pressing team with his stats showing he was involved in just over 11 offensive duels per 90 minutes. Ten Hag does want to implement this strategy at Old Trafford but has been pragmatic so far because of the players at his disposal.
Despite pressing high, Kone is more defensively minded as his one goal and one assist shows. Priced at a reported £35m, the Frenchman would add grit to the United midfield.
Edson Alvarez
The final option would see Ten Hag returning to Ajax to try and lure another of his old players away from Amsterdam. Alvarez is understood to be a target of both West Ham and Borussia Dortmund as they aim to strengthen their midfields.
At 6ft2ins, Alvarez's main strength is in the air as he averages just under seven aerial duels per 90 minutes, an attribute which would be crucial in the Premier League. But the Ajax man is more than that, his successful passing into the final third is significantly higher at nearly nine per 90 minutes.
An initial €30m bid has been made by Dortmund to try and sign the Mexican with the Bundesliga club ready to go all out to get their man. However, the chance to play under Ten Hag again could be enough to persuade the 25-year-old to move to Old Trafford should the Dutchman come calling.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
