Next month, Declan Rice could become the first English player to lift a European Cup since Reece James, Ben Chillwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham clasped hands on the Champions League trophy in 2021.
He could become the first English captain to touch continental silverware since Jordan Henderson lifted the Champions League in 2019 should West Ham see off Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
Rice could be playing for the big prize itself next season, the midfielder keen to play for a Champions League club. The question is whether that will be at Manchester United or not.
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The Reds are one point away from securing a top four place and Erik ten Hag has said there has already been heightened transfer interest in the club. West Ham boss David Moyes has conceded he is planning for Rice’s possible exit.
Ten Hag is after a young midfielder as well as a striker this summer and recent performances may have made Rice more appealing to him. Back in February, Graeme Souness was critical of the 24-year-old’s ability to find the net.
"I'd want more goals from him," the former Liverpool great said. "In the modern game with the way the pitches are, for central midfield players coming onto things they've got no excuses.
"The ball's running smoothly, it's coming to you on a carpet and he's scored one goal this year, Declan Rice."
He has picked up the pace in the months since, firing in five goals including his goal for England against Italy in March’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Three goals have come in his last nine outings, not bad for a defensive midfielder. He is only one behind Casemiro in terms of club goals this season and is seven years younger.
One more goal for Rice and it will be the most prolific scoring season of his career so far. Goals are not going to be a key part of his game going forward, given he plays as the pivot.
But Ten Hag may like the foundations already there to build on and perhaps take over the mantle from the ageing Casemiro. Whether a transfer will happen or not remains to be seen.
Rice is likely to fetch a hefty fee and Ten Hag is not sure what his transfer budget is for next season amid the ongoing takeover process that is yet to conclude.
The Three Lions star has shown a level of leadership since taking the Hammers armband and Ten Hag will like that, the Dutchman frequently underlining the responsibility his players must shoulder themselves.
The Dutchman also wants his side to score more goals next season, and is aiming to bring in a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window with Tottenham's Harry Kane the top target.
But he will also be hoping other members of his squad can chip in, as evidence following the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Following that win, the United boss said: "A solid performance. A well deserved win. The only criticism I could say, it had to be higher, the score. It had to be 3-0 or 4-0. We missed a lot of chances there.
"You want to score and finish and kill the game in the early moments. That's always important. In big games you don't create so many chances, so you have to score them.
"We need more goalscorers and I'm happy with Antony. He scored a goal, gave an assist. His start in the game wasn't that good... But after he came into the game and he was continually a threat for the opponent."
It's clear United need more goalscorers, as Ten hag says, and the last few months may have made Rice that bit more appealing for Ten Hag this summer - particularly if he continues to find the back of the net.
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