Former Manchester United star Alan Smith has claimed West Ham’s Declan Rice would make a good addition at the club.
Declan Rice would make a “great addition” for Manchester United, says Alan Smith. The ex-Red Devils star has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to compete with Chelsea in any transfer battle for the West Ham midfielder.
A big-money move to Stamford Bridge continues to be on the cards for a player who is well familiar with the Blues.
However, no agreement has been reached and the door remains open for others to steal in.
Recent reports have claimed that United could join the chase for Rice, with the Red Devils still in search of another player to star in the holding role.
Smith feels the talented 21-year-old would fit the bill, with the former United star telling American Gambler: “I like Declan Rice as a player and I think he would be a great addition – and is a British-based player, which obviously helps.”
“I think he’s one that is a bit more old school than a lot of defensive midfield players are now.”
Pressed on whether he would invest heavily on Rice over long-standing attacking target Jadon Sancho, Smith added: “It all depends on how good Scott McTominay is going to be, as you don’t want to get someone like-for-like that is already coming through the system.”
“He’s obviously someone that Ole holds in high regard, he sees him in training every day, and you wouldn’t want to block the pathway of a young lad coming through the United system.”
“If he [Rice] is someone that can go in there and virtually guarantee you a league title then obviously you’d say yes, but have you’ve got someone in there that you’d be swapping like-for-like?”
“Young players bring inconsistency. Young players get all the plaudits, but it’s the experienced players that keep everything going.”
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