MANCHESTER UNITED got not only a first hand look at what Declan Rice would offer them, but also experienced why trying to sign him is so important.
United have already earmarked the West Ham star as their priority target next summer as they look to build a team capable of dominating the Premier League again.
And not only did the England midfielder turn in a commanding display in the centre of the pitch, the game also showed why his capture could make such a difference.
For all the time they are without a player of his quality in the spine of their side, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows he cannot trust Scott McTominay or Fred to play the role on their own.
It means United have to set up with two players in the base of their midfield, at the sacrifice of another who could play slightly more advanced.
And against teams as defensively sound as the Hammers, the absence of another more creative player is enough to make the difference when it comes to collecting wins in such tight games.
United had plenty of possession in good areas, but had they had that extra option available to them in an attacking sense they may well have found the way to unlock the West Ham defence.
But time and again they ran out of options at the vital moment, all the while McTominay and Fred remained in their central areas slightly deeper in play.
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It is not to say either of them played particularly badly – they didn’t. But what they are is limited – and no more is that evident than when they are up against a midfielder of the highest quality.
Rice, at 22, is just that. He strolled around the pitch, orchestrating the Hammers in possession and also providing a complete shield in front of his defence.
He has the ability to read the game to such an extent he can be trusted to patrol his patch alone, allowing the Hammers that extra freedom to add an extra player to their offence.
Imagine this United side with Rice beating at the heart of it. Solskjaer to allow Pogba to play more advanced, and then still find the space to fit in another attacking threat such as Jadon Sancho or Jesse Lingard.
The whole balance of the team would be affected in a positive way, and see them become a far more threatening side to play against than they are now.
It won’t come cheap – something in the region of £100million is what West Ham would want. But can United really afford not to?
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
