Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Declan Rice would lead the charge for a Manchester United comeback if he was signed by Erik ten Hag.
West Ham are adamant their main man is not for sale this summer, and it looks as though the player himself is ready for another season with the club . But that is not to say he doesn’t have a choice on his hands going forward.
The Hammers could finish above United with a win on Sunday, should Ralf Rangnick ’s men fail to beat Crystal Palace. Right now, the two clubs are scrapping at the same level.
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But the hope from fans will be that ten Hag revives United to their former glory and see them start pushing for trophies in years to come. That, Ferdinand says, could be the carrot that Rice may consider later down the line.
The former Old Trafford hero explained how Rice is already a legend at the London Stadium, and could easily become the next Mark Noble by staying at West Ham for years. But Ferdinand said that a move to United would see him become one of the focal points of ten Hag ’s resurrection of the club.
However, he conceded that United may not be the most attractive offer on the table right now. Speaking on his YouTube show Five, he said: “It all depends on what Declan Rice wants to do with his career.
“If wants to do a Mark Noble and stay at one club in the Premier League - Declan Rice will be the captain for the next ten years if he wants. It’s there if he wants to do that.
“But I don’t think Declan Rice is Mark Noble. Declan Rice is someone who sees himself going to a bigger club, with all due respect to West Ham, and going to fight for honours in the Premier League.”
He added: “You’ve got to ask Declan Rice a question; does he leave West Ham who are basically fighting Man United for the same position? If he does go to somewhere like United, (he could) be the catalyst for the next generation, for winning stuff, and you could lead that charge.
“But if you want to win trophies right at this moment, there is a big question over that.”
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