Manchester United may have been presented with the perfect opportunity to sign Declan Rice - at the worst possible time in their recent history.
If there were any doubts regarding Rice’s standing as one of Europe’s best midfield players, they have been permanently erased thanks to another stunning season for West Ham. While some of his England team-mates have struggled to replicate their Euro 2020 standards for their club sides, Rice has arguably increased them even further.
It’s no surprise then that the 23-year-old is the first name on almost every United supporter’s lips when it comes to potential summer transfer targets. Central midfield is arguably the area that incoming Erik ten Hag will need to address as his first priority.
