Man Utd BLOCKED Rice transfer

Tom Hancock

• 15 Jul 2023 19:49 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United reportedly passed up the opportunity to sign Declan Rice amid doubts over his ability.

Rice finally completed his British-record £105m move from West Ham to Arsenal today (June 15), bringing an end to one of the longest-running transfer sagas of recent years.

Prior to making the switch from East to North London, the England midfielder had been linked with Man Utd time and time again.

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Back in 2021, then United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen on Rice – but the club’s recruitment staff were unconvinced that he had what it took to take the team to the next level.

Since then, the 13-time Premier League champions have made one hugely transformative addition in the middle of the park – signing Casemiro from Real Madrid last summer – but Rice’s trajectory over the past couple of seasons might just leave them ruing their decision not to swoop for him at a time when he might have been available significantly cheaper than £105m.

Like Arsenal, though, Man Utd have made one impressive addition to their midfield department this summer, bringing in Mason Mount from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £55m.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers | All the Done Deals

United just getting started…

But Erik ten Hag and co. still have plenty of business to do if they’re to get the squad in shape for a multi-pronged challenge next season – when United return to the Champions League.

Andre Onana looks set to join from Inter Milan to succeed the departed David de Gea as first-choice goalkeeper, while a new number nine remains a top priority – with Harry Kane, Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani just a few of the names seemingly in the frame.