Thomas Hein
The Metro claims that Manchester United sent scouts to watch West Ham youngster Declan Rice in the 4-0 loss to Manchester City over the weekend.
The 19-year-old has 10 Premier League starts to his name this season, and can play either as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. The Englishman protected the back four in the game against City, but the Premier League leaders swept aside Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
The report adds that the 19-year-old’s deal with the Hammers ends in 2020 and the Englishman has already rejected a new contract worth £20,000-a-week (h/t Metro).
Rice would be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, and the report claims that Chelsea are also interested in the 19-year-old and are willing to double West Ham’s current contract offer.
The report adds that United have kept an eye on the West Ham youngster throughout the season, but the game against the Cityzens was the first time they watched the 19-year-old in person.
Rice is one of the brightest English youngsters in the Premier League and there will be several clubs interested in him should the Hammers fail to tie him down to a new contract.
United could do with someone like Rice in the team, and his versatility would be put to good use by Jose Mourinho.
Read more: Manchester United and Chelsea could swap attackers in winter window
The United manager didn’t get a centre-back in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if the West Ham youngster is the solution to our leaky Premier League defence.
