Manchester United have been told by Mark Noble they could have the new Paul Scholes on their hands if they sign Declan Rice in the summer.
United have been heavily linked with the West Ham star, who has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top stars over the past year after a fine summer in which he helped England to the Euro 2020 final.
The Reds look to be among the frontrunners for his signature, although they will face serious competition from Chelsea, while Manchester City have also been touted as a possible destination.
The Hammers will also not let their prize possession go cheaply, with over £100million quoted as the asking price for the 23-year-old.
United though have identified Rice as their main target for the summer as they look to make some much-needed improvements to their midfield, and the midfielder still has plenty of time to develop his already deeply impressive game.
West Ham captain Noble has given a good indication of just what United could get if they stump up the hefty fee for Rice, telling Vibe With Five he has the potential to emulate the likes of Scholes and Steven Gerrard.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen in the last six months how he’s improved his game where he drops the shoulder and he drives past you, and he just looks on another planet when he does that,” Noble said.
“He’s so physically strong and powerful that you can’t catch him. He does that so well now, and when he gets outside the box, his striking of the ball is top notch, and he can score even more goals.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll bring that to his game because he keeps learning.”
Noble added: “When I look at his game, and I watch him play and I watch him in training, I never had his strength and his legs. I could play, but I never had that sort of power.
“For me watching on, if he becomes – and I still think he’s one of the best in the world at it now – like the Steven Gerrard mould where he’s getting 10, 12 a season from that position, and that in assists as well, you’re going on to be one of the best in the world.
“Gerrard would get the ball off the back four and within two minutes, he’d be scoring in the six-yard box. You don’t really get that anymore, Yaya Toure was the same, Scholesy was the same, and obviously Stevie G and Lamps (Frank Lampard), even (Michael) Ballack when he was at Chelsea.
“Big, strong, powerful boys that played both positions. They’d sweep up in front of the back four, but also they’d get on the end of a cross and score. I don’t think that happens quite as often in the game anymore.”
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