According to Metro, Manchester United are the latest club to join the race to sign Declan Rice. The West Ham defensive midfielder has caught the eye of several top clubs across England, following his impressive performances this season.
United, in particular, are believed to have sent scouts to watch the English midfielder during West Ham’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City. And in this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of Rice’s potential move to Old Trafford.
Pros
Declan Rice has enjoyed a fruitful season so far, having featured in over 1,000 minutes of football in all competitions. He has become a vital cog in the West Ham midfield, where his impressive tackling prowess and discipline allows the likes of Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang to play their natural game.
Indeed, Rice is an excellent tackler, attempting 3.7 tackles per game with a success rate of 67%, which is no mean feat for a defensive midfielder. He’s a fearless operator, who is decent in the air as well, attempting over 2 headed duels per game
This could be ideal for Manchester United, who have often used a 4-3-3 formation where Jose Mourinho opts for a defensive midfielder partnering two attack-minded central midfielders. Rice, in that regard, could serve as an ideal long-term replacement for Michael Carrick (retired), Marouane Fellaini or the underperforming Nemanja Matic.
The Irishman has already shown tremendous talent in the Premier League this season and at the age of 19, he definitely has time on his side and will only improve in the future.
In addition, much like England international Eric Dier, Rice can also play as a centre-back – making him an appealing target for the Red Devils.
Cons
While Rice may seem like the ideal choice for United, there are certain downsides too, regarding his potential move to Old Trafford.
The West Ham star understandably lacks experience and hasn’t yet played with tremendous expectations on his shoulders. And at the tender age of 19, it is highly doubtful as to whether or not he will be able to cope with the pressure of playing for a club like Manchester United especially with the unsettling dynamics currently brewing in the setup.
Most importantly, Rice is still a one-dimensional midfielder, who only excels on the defensive front. Therefore, his lack of all-round qualities in the middle could be an issue in the tougher games, especially in Europe. We believe the 19-year-old should remain at West Ham for now, in order to hone his skills. And with the decision to back Manuel Pellegrini with the funds, the board has clearly stated its desire to aim for the next level and someone like Rice should be retained to make that transition.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored