Declan Rice

[Dante]

So we have at most one big money signing next summer.

Rice or Haaland?

If we only buy one player for £100m, I still think it could be Bellingham.

The whole point of a double pivot is to allow two box-to-box midfielders to sit next to each other. Yes, it means you have two players doing the job of one DM. But it also means you have two players available for the AM role when in possession. Bellingham (like Camavinga) would be perfect for that. Ole has already shown us his priority in this regard for two summers in a row.

Greenwood will hopefully be ready to be a starting CF, meaning a second choice CF will be what we need more so than Haaland. I guess that's yet to be determined, though.

 

[Pexbo]

If we only buy one player for £100m, I still think it could be Bellingham.

The whole point of a double pivot is to allow two box-to-box midfielders to sit next to each other. Yes, it means you have two players doing the job of one DM. But it also means you have two players available for the AM role when in possession. Bellingham (like Camavinga) would be perfect for that. Ole has already shown us his priority in this regard for two summers in a row.

Greenwood will hopefully be ready to be a starting CF, meaning a second choice CF will be what we need more so than Haaland. I guess that's yet to be determined, though.

I expect Bellingham to have one more contract at Dortmund and at least 2 more seasons.

 

[gajender]

If we only buy one player for £100m, I still think it could be Bellingham.

The whole point of a double pivot is to allow two box-to-box midfielders to sit next to each other. Yes, it means you have two players doing the job of one DM. But it also means you have two players available for the AM role when in possession. Bellingham (like Camavinga) would be perfect for that. Ole has already shown us his priority in this regard for two summers in a row.

Greenwood will hopefully be ready to be a starting CF, meaning a second choice CF will be what we need more so than Haaland. I guess that's yet to be determined, though.

Unless we expect Bellingham to turn into Modric regen we should not be spending 100 m on him and genuine question when was the last time a team without a player capable of playing deep at high level whether a DM or DLP did anything of note in CL or league . I believe teams can get by with decent box to box players but if you want to win big trophies you need somebody really good to play as your deepest midfielder .

 

[Bebestation]

Watched him very closely since the end of last season.

I like what i see.

Rice would walk into our current set-up and improve us 100%. A leader as well.

I'm firmly on the bandwagon now.
He's still 22yrs Old I think. I'm looking forward to see how he develops this season.

I feel like people think of him as being a potential deadwood if he joined us and I simply don't get that.

We are getting a very good ball winning midfielder aren't we? A potential good anchor man type player aren't we?

It seems like the people who want a deep lying playmaker don't want Rice. Why is it not acceptable to have both in the squad? Would they not do two things and helps us be well rounded with what we need from our players?

 

[TwoSheds]

He's the 2nd best average DM in the England midfield.

 

[Devil may care]

Yeah someone like Pogba would be great

Chances are Pogba won't be here and it's been seen time and again that he doesn't do the back bit of box to box well enough, not because of the lazy narrative, but because his off the mark speed isn't quick enough to get after a runner if we lose the ball.

 

[Bebestation]

Chances are Pogba won't be here and it's been seen time and again that he doesn't do the back bit of box to box well enough, not because of the lazy narrative, but because his off the mark speed isn't quick enough to get after a runner if we lose the ball.

Is Kroos good at this?

 

[Devil may care]

Is Kroos good at this?

No, but he doesn't need to in the Real Madrid side as they play 3 in midfield and Modric used to do it, now Valverde does it, Casemiro remains as the holder.

 

[bosskeano]

Anyone spending 100m on him would have to be out of their god darn mind

 

[Zoo]

 

[sewey89]

He'll still be expensive as he is contracted until 2024 with an option for another year. But he'd be great for us. I think he's underrated on here.

 

[Dante]

United wouldn't telegraph their chief transfer targets 10 months in advance. That would be a terrible negotiating strategy. Not to mention, completely out of the hands of Woodward and into the remit of Murtaugh by that stage, which makes the likelihood of a genuine leak even more remote. The hierarchy conducting our transfer strategy won't even be the same as it is now.

The story can only be guesswork.

 

[Devil may care]

Hopefully he goes to Chelsea to hook up with his boy Mount and we get Tchouameni for a 3rd of the price.

 

[kirk buttercup]

He'll still be expensive as he is contracted until 2024 with an option for another year. But he'd be great for us. I think he's underrated on here.

So do I .

 

[largelyworried]

I think Rice is decent. The problem is the price, the English tax means that he's being talked about at way above comparable players.

 

[Bebestation]

He'll still be expensive as he is contracted until 2024 with an option for another year. But he'd be great for us. I think he's underrated on here.

I can understand people have some question marks on his on the ball technique - but I find his off the ball game quite beautiful to watch. Then I realise he is doing it at the age of 22 and it just makes it even more gorgeous. He can help a team not have to under go an attack for quite some time.

 

[UnitedSofa]

 

[Crimson King]

I think he's a player we need, but he's still not quite there yet and might never have that extra edge. Can be quite limited in certain respects, and we've traditionally played with a CDM who can play progressively too.

For the price West Ham would want you can probably get a player of similar age and potential from abroad for half the money. It feels like that would be a better option, as we're going to have to develop this guy anyway.

Perhaps we shouldn't overlook Rice's PL experience though, but that's been in a very rigid, team-centred side under Moyes.

 

[DutchCruijff]

United wouldn't telegraph their chief transfer targets 10 months in advance. That would be a terrible negotiating strategy. Not to mention, completely out of the hands of Woodward and into the remit of Murtaugh by that stage, which makes the likelihood of a genuine leak even more remote. The hierarchy conducting our transfer strategy won't even be the same as it is now.

The story can only be guesswork.

Luckhurst was spot on with the Varane story, he broke it way back in March.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

That's Touchmeni, Neves and co out of the picture if true as they seemed to be available.

 

[cotumely]

Hope he doesn’t come to Chelsea.

 

[Dante]

Luckhurst was spot on with the Varane story, he broke it way back in March.

Like I said, Woodward is leaving in December.

 

[Bilbo]

That's Touchmeni, Neves and co out of the picture if true as they seemed to be available.

Neves IMO is not good enough for this level and Tchouameni is unproven at the moment. He could end up great or he could up like Sanches or Carvalho or many others. Flavour of the month but not ultimately top level

 

[bosskeano]

so what will Rice cost next summer? 60-70m?

can't see us spending that on him and still trying to land Haaland.

It's foolish to spend that much on a holding midfielder as you can get a quality one for half that price. Find a non englishman so you don't get mugged in negotiations

 

[DWelbz19]

Inclined to agree to the superficial extent of an armchair fan, but surely as recruitment/scouts whose job it literally is to find one, this isn't really an acceptable response?

 

[Hoof the ball]

So, what we're saying is that the scouting department "identified" a player that every common football fan in this country already knows of extensively; meanwhile, there are no viable alternatives on the entire continent that represent an equal qualitative value to a player who will cost in excess of 70m next summer?

Come on, now. There's probably a number of midfielders who could do Rice's job as good as Rice at a lesser cost. Of course, watchers of predominately the EPL won't be able to identify them, but we have a scouting system that ought to be able to accomplish this. I can't for a moment believe that they looked far and wide, but ultimately decided to settle on the obvious, British over-priced Rice. Might as well do away with a scouting system if that's the case, and instead we'll just go after who's trending in the flavour of the EPL market.

 

[Adnan]

The key word being 'attainable'. It was reported that Varane and Sancho were the main targets and someone would have to be sold (Dan James) to bring in in a significant 3rd signing.

Neves isn't a DM, and if the plan is to play a proactive brand of football where the two CBs and DM will be required to provide defensive balance in high risk situations, then Neves IMO would get destroyed in such a situation because his off the ball game isn't off the required standard and at Wolves he's playing in a formation which gives him a lot of protection off the ball.

Rice seems like the player the club wants and I've said on a number of occassions we should maybe swerve the signing due to potential cost. But he does tick the boxes as far as helping implement a more attacking game style. But he wasn't attainable due to price.

There was murmurs about Tchouameni aswell but from what has been reported in Italy, his price wasn't cheap either and Juventus had to back off. So he wasn't attainable either due to cost it seems. It's been reported Chelsea also backed off due to cost.

 

[RkkMan]

United wouldn't telegraph their chief transfer targets 10 months in advance. That would be a terrible negotiating strategy. Not to mention, completely out of the hands of Woodward and into the remit of Murtaugh by that stage, which makes the likelihood of a genuine leak even more remote. The hierarchy conducting our transfer strategy won't even be the same as it is now.

The story can only be guesswork.

Woodward leaving is irrelevant since it's the Scouts and Coaching Staff that decide the players not Woodward.
Woodward will only assess the financial viability which we'll hear about more closer to the World Cup. Anyone new coming in won't all of a sudden decide on a new DM target especially since Rice is a long term target

 

[RkkMan]

so what will Rice cost next summer? 60-70m?

can't see us spending that on him and still trying to land Haaland.

It's foolish to spend that much on a holding midfielder as you can get a quality one for half that price. Find a non englishman so you don't get mugged in negotiations

We paid £80m for Maguire I can very much see the club paying something similar for Rice if it comes down to that. Like you said question mark on whether he comes with Haaland but I suspect Ronaldo rules out a ST in the short and medium term.
And it's not foolish to overpay for Rice like I've said we paid the same for Maguire who was 3 years older than Rice will be next year and he's been one of our best signings under Ole. Rice is a non fashionable name that plays in a position we desperately need to invest and he happens to be the best in the PL and Europe at his age group and already a full English International. That extra £10-20m is worth it for the longevity, leadership and quality he'll offer

 

[Highfather_24]

He's so overrated. Too much hype around him. Definitely not worth 80-100M.

 

[bosskeano]

We paid £80m for Maguire I can very much see the club paying something similar for Rice if it comes down to that. Like you said question mark on whether he comes with Haaland but I suspect Ronaldo rules out a ST in the short and medium term.
And it's not foolish to overpay for Rice like I've said we paid the same for Maguire who was 3 years older than Rice will be next year and he's been one of our best signings under Ole. Rice is a non fashionable name that plays in a position we desperately need to invest and he happens to be the best in the PL and Europe at his age group and already a full English International. That extra £10-20m is worth it for the longevity, leadership and quality he'll offer

 

[Dec9003]

I think he’s really underrated. A pundit made a comment once about him being a centre back in midfield and I think that clouded a lot of people’s judgements on him.

 

[Bebestation]

I think he’s really underrated. A pundit made a comment once about him being a centre back in midfield and I think that clouded a lot of people’s judgements on him.

It's not really that. People look at his very short range recycling type passing alongside the other CB'S, FBs and CDMs and instantly make the decision that he isn't good enough; without reading the rest of his game.

On the other hand he plays this game where he is constantly reading the defensive third of the game and is always in the opposition attackers spot before the attacker can get that ball. Rice is there as a CDM where a CDM needs to be and as simple as that sounds, that's quite great to see in a young 22 year old player. His West Ham Version goes on more deep runs.

If Ole see's him as good enough then I think I can just believe in our managers transfer history rather than pick some random CDM in my head that could be hyped one second and turn the next season's Ndombele's the next.

The only issue I have to do with the transfer is more to do with Pogba. He should obviously not be a replacement for Pogba and if Pogba goes then a more like for like for Pogba is needed as well.

 

[Womp]

He's not a very technical footballer. He's very underwhelming at a lot of stuff. That being said, he's quite good at his expectations, which I think would do well given the offensive talent we have. I would still prefer a DM who was more of a passer, but if this allows Pogba/Bruno or whoever to push further forward, I'm all for it. It's the weakest position in our team.

 

[Deleted 112447]

If he wasn't English he'd be worth 30 or 35 mil. Neville would love him here for 100mil.

 

[ivaldo]

I think he’s really underrated. A pundit made a comment once about him being a centre back in midfield and I think that clouded a lot of people’s judgements on him.

It's more likely to do with people watching him, and seeing all the limitations he has on the ball. Kind of like a CB playing in midfield. All those complaints people have about our inability to bypass the press will just get louder.

 

[Bebestation]

If he wasn't English he'd be worth 30 or 35 mil. Neville would love him here for 100mil.

Well we also happen to be an English club that tend to have a heart towards English players, so if Rice is deemed good enough then he may be one of our targets. Prices are exaggerated alot because of the club who wants the player.

Anyway, I feel the same about the French nation team aswell tbh. One good game and everyone is riding their ability to be the best players of the best clubs.

 

[Dec9003]

It's more likely to do with people watching him, and seeing all the limitations he has on the ball. Kind of like a CB playing in midfield. All those complaints people have about our inability to bypass the press will just get louder.

He’s much better on the ball than he gets credit for on here. From what I’ve seen he’s massively better at playing out of a press than the midfielders we have at the moment, his passing is simple but effective which is exactly what you want from a guy playing his position. He’s decent at running with the ball too, strong and holds on to it well.

 

[Dante]

If he wasn't English he'd be worth 30 or 35 mil. Neville would love him here for 100mil.

Why has Neville become the boogeyman for anything football related that you don't like?

Neville wanted Varane, Sancho and Kane. He never mentioned Rice in his list. And, in fact, he's talked in the past about how he wasn't convinced that Rice was good enough. In this other clip at 4:38, he even says he wouldn't buy Rice for £80m. And Neville even says that he doesn't match up with the best in the world like Fabinho or Busquets.

Spoiler

Instead of Rice, who should we go for? Camavinga? Locatelli? Goretzka? All of them didn't want to come to United because they weren't English.

The issue is not that United don't want non-English. It's that (often) non-English don't want United. We have a long history of buying players from every corner of the world when they want to come here.

 

[ivaldo]

He’s much better on the ball than he gets credit for on here. From what I’ve seen he’s massively better at playing out of a press than the midfielders we have at the moment, his passing is simple but effective which is exactly what you want from a guy playing his position. He’s decent at running with the ball too, strong and holds on to it well.

If anything, his ability on the ball is overrated here, perfectly illustrated by your claim that he's 'massively better' at playing out of the press compared to our other midfielders. Despite playing simple passes, as you readily admit, he still inexplicably comes up poorly against Fred, the play he would be replacing, despite Fred being more creative with the ball and yet still deemed not good enough. Again, decent carrying the ball, yet markedly worse than Mctominay.

It astonishes me that people watch us play, see our issues, and decide a technically deficient CM is the answer.