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Manchester United cool interest in £70m English star after Fred’s improvement

Manchester United and Manchester City to battle it out for Declan Rice
Manchester United and Manchester City to battle it out for Declan Rice

Manchester United have cooled their interest in Declan Rice

Declan Rice was linked with a move to Manchester United. A defensive midfielder, it was a position that United was keen on strengthening.

According to MEN, the interest has since cooled. This comes in spite of the possibility that the player may be put on sale as West Ham continue to grapple with their precarious financial position.

The Hammers made a pre-tax loss of £28.2million in their most recent finances. Their situation could get worse if the season does not resume. It would force them to sell a number of their stars to balance the books.

Declan Rice Manchester United
Declan Rice is no longer a target for Manchester United

The major reason for United’s stance is that they do not feel the player is good enough to don our shirt. This should clear the way for Chelsea, who are also keen sign the player.

Rice has failed to live up to the hype this year and has largely failed to impress as a holding midfielder.

Still considered to be one of the Hammers’ top players, Rice has failed to live up to the promise he showed last season.

According to the report, a resurgent Fred trumps Rice in all the categories. The Hammers star, however, does have better numbers than Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic. One indictment has been his inability to control the midfield as expected.

Fred
Fred has had a resurgent campaign

Home comforts!

United’s decision is also influenced by the improvement shown by Fred. The Brazilian initially struggled in his debut season in England. He now looks far more comfortable and is a regular in the United midfield under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

With James Garner and Dylan Levitt both coming through the youth system, the acquisition of Rice will hamper their progress.

The Hammers value Rice at £70million. Given Ed Woodward’s recent comments about a frugal summer, it makes no sense for United to splash that kind of cash on a player we clearly don’t need.

More Manchester United News

Time changes a lot in football. Rice, who was considered one of our top targets last summer, is not even on the list today.

In some ways, it is a testament to the ability of our players to improve and ensure that the club already has everything needed.

Written by Pranav Nair

An Engineering postgraduate with a keen interest in statistics, pop culture and football.

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